Gods, deities and idols loom large in the mind and creative practice of Sri Lankan-born, Sydney-based artist Ramesh Mario Nithiyendran.
Acclaimed for bold sculptures that push the limits of clay, Nithiyendran incorporates his favoured medium with other materials such as bronze, concrete, textiles, hair and neon.
His influences are extensive, ranging from internet memes to ancient iconographies, with a particular interest in sculptural practices emerging from religious discourse, particularly Hinduism, Buddhism and Christianity.
With the generous support of donors Michael Combs and Adam Haddow, the Art Gallery of Ballarat has commissioned Nithiyendran to develop a new work in conversation with a painting in our collection, Buddha’s renunciation 1884, by English artist Nicholas Chevalier (1828-1902).
By selecting a painting made in Australia in the 1880s with a European style, depicting a story that originated in India over 2,000 years ago, Nithiyendran continues his exploration of global histories and languages of figurative representation. The two works will be displayed together in an installation environment that draws upon elements of the artist’s Sydney studio.
