Thota Vaikuntam

Born in 1942 in Boorugupali, Andhra Pradesh, T. Vaikuntam completed a Diploma in Painting at the College of Fine Arts and Architecture, Hyderabad, in 1970, and pursued Painting and Printmaking from the Faculty of Fine Arts at Maharaja Sayajirao University, Baroda, in 1972. worked under the guidance of artist K.G. Subramanyan.

He held his first solo exhibition at the Kala Bhavan in Hyderabad in 1973, and since then has had regular shows at various galleries in Hyderabad, Bangalore, New Delhi, Kolkata and Mumbai. His most recent shows have been ‘Yes, I am He’ organized by India Fine Art at Jehangir Art Gallery, Mumbai, in 2007; ‘Telangana: Inheritance of a Dream Lost’ at Art Alive, New Delhi, also in 2007; and ‘Mukham’ at Sanskriti Art Gallery, Kolkata, in 2006.

Some recent group shows that have included Vaikuntam’s work have been ‘Indian Harvest’ presented by Crimson – the Art Resouce, Bangalore, at SG Private Bank, Singapore, in 2009; ‘The Root of Everything’ at Gallery Mementos, Bangalore, in 2009; ‘Post Independence Masters’ at Aicon Gallery, New York, in 2008; ‘6 Artists Show’ at 1×1 Gallery, Dubai, in 2006; ‘Tradition and Change’ at Arts India, New York, in 2002; and ‘Ignition’ at Crimson Art Gallery, Mumbai, in 2000.

Among his several honors is the National Award for Painting, which Vaikuntam received in 1993, and the Biennale Award from Bharat Bhavan, Bhopal, which he received in 1988-89. His paintings are a part of several renowned collections and his works have been exhibited widely. Over the past five years, exhibitions of his works have been held in New York, London, and Birmingham.

The artist lives and works in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh.