Tushar Waghela

Chhattisgarh

Tushar Waghela (b. 1975) is a Chhattisgarh-based filmmaker and visual artist whose work spans contemporary art and experimental cinema. Waghela draws inspiration from his deep understanding of Indian philosophy, which has shaped his journey as an artist for over 25 years. His creations, ranging from video art to installations and short films, reflect the world’s disordered state - one marred by violence, alienation, and the collapse of moral norms.

Waghela’s style incorporates a dynamic blend of pop art, street art, and experimental cinema techniques. His work delves into the human condition, confronting the terror and confusion of a universe untethered by past or future, yet striving to create art that radiates joy, love, and childlike innocence. Created in series, his diversely themed pieces weave cultural references with mythology and elements of modern satire. Waghela's painterly compositions are primarily created using acrylics, oils, and spray paint on canvas. His current body of work, the “Without Ticket” series, merges spray painting, mixed media, and street art to create expressions reflecting life's chaotic yet colourful nature. The films he creates showcase his ability to fuse the visual arts with storytelling, providing a poignant commentary on the modern world through surreal and abstract methods. His artistic language conveys visceral emotion, combining vivid colours with thought-provoking narratives that elicit both the innocence and turmoil of contemporary life.

The artist holds a Master’s in Contemporary Art from the University of California (2001) and has received prestigious scholarships such as the Arts Grant Fellowship (2005) and the Creative Vision Award (2007). Notable solo exhibitions include “Art of Expression” at the San Francisco Museum of Art (2010) and “Colors of Identity” at the Los Angeles Art Gallery (2015), while group shows include the International Contemporary Art Exhibition (2013) and the Global Artists Collective (2017). Recognised with the National Arts Achievement Award (2012) and the Excellence in Fine Arts Award (2018), the artist's works are featured in renowned collections like the Smithsonian Institution and the New York City Art Museum. His video art, installations, and short films have been showcased at over 150 international film festivals, including Cannes, the London Asian Film Festival, and screenings at the British Film Institute, Collectif Jeune Cinema in Paris, and Doshisha University in Japan. One of his films competed for the Rajat Shankh National Award at the MIFF Mumbai Film Festival.