Category Winners 2019-20

Season Greetings from AWN!

On behalf of AWN and honorable judge we would like to congratulate the category winners and overall winner. Wishing everyone all the very best!

Thank you to all participating artists for your sincere efforts!

Looking forward to meeting everyone at our annual show.

We would like to thank our sponsors of this year.

1. FiniteLoop - https://finiteloop.io
2. CanvasSmart - https://canvassmart.com
3. Sammilan Shetty's Butterfly Park Belvai Belvai - http://www.butterflyparkbelvai.com
4. Iora Guest House - http://www.ioraguesthouse.com
5. Hingaara Stay- http://www.hingaara.com (Online Contest)

Artist of the Year Award Winner- Shakthi Prasad

Shakthi Prasad is a self-taught wildlife artist and a wildlife photographer.

Visits to forests and observing wild animals’ behaviors inspires him to make wildlife paintings.

Having spent most of his formative years in the wild, his love for wildlife was complemented with his acute sense of observation. His paintings reflect the completed depth of a picture as seen by the eye.

Over the years he has constantly endeavored and trained himself to produce the most realistic images of wild life that are increasingly sought after by discerning collectors and genuine wildlife aficionados.

He has been part of AWN annual shows over the couple of years and received rave reviews for his works.

Shakthi Prasad loves making artworks using all mediums. 

His other noted accomplishments:

·         Best in the show "AWN Miniatures 2019"

·         Best in the show " Artists for Birds 2019"

Miniature Category Winner- Paresh Vishwanath Churi

Paresh, a graduate in Economics with Statistics, is a Naturalist, Wildlife and Botanical Artist, from Mumbai. Working as the Director of Breathingroots Pvt. Ltd, a startup focusing on Urban Agriculture and Environmental Conservation, he is qualified in a Specialized Course in Plant and Animal Taxonomy, from Mumbai University and Event Management (NIEM).

In his research on Butterflies and photo documentation studies of the largest number of larval host plants and their Lepidopteral relationships and preferences, early stages, ecology and habitats, Paresh has mastered a unique combination of art and science. Most of his information is shared freely for education purposes on many leading websites, biodiversity portals, books and newspapers. In his quest for art and conservation, he has traveled many states of India and he is one of the "Biodiversity Atlas Contributor Award Winner – 2017”. He has published several technical research papers; some of them are well cited internationally and acknowledged through peer reviews.

Paresh works with different media like Watercolors, Oils, Metallics, Charcoal Pencils, Ink & Pen, and Natural Pigments. His artworks are immensely preferred by art collectors across India and overseas.  He has worked as an Illustrator for an educational app on Human Anatomy and his scientific and entomological illustrations are published in science magazines, videos and several reputed scientific journals. 

His artworks for field guides, poetry books and cover pages are in press. His solo exhibition was on "A Monograph to Indian Butterflies in 3D Art Form"at NCBS, Bengaluru, Biology of Butterflies International Conference, June – 2018, held for the first time in Asia.  He has exhibited at Butterfly Illustrations 3D Artworks at Veer Jijamata Udyan, Mumbai during Wild Life Week, October - 2018 and at ICAR - CIRCOT Mumbai, September - 2019.

He was also a part of AWN Annual Event - 2019 and Miniatures Event - 2019.

Avian Category Winner- Smitha Kashi

Born in Bangalore, Smitha Kashi’s tryst with wildlife began in her early childhood.

Her early exposure in wildlife coupled with formal training from College of Fine Arts (Chitra Kala Parishad CKP, Bangalore) inspired her to animate here special love for birds on her canvas.

She predominantly works with watercolor pencils and digital tools. Pen, graphite and acrylics are some of the other preferred mediums. Her works are an expression of moments and experiences that are dear to her.

Through her NGO Seek Foundation, she has conducted several wilderness camps and workshops for students/ corporates in wildlife sketching.

She has been part of AWN shows over the last year. 

  

Mammal Category Winner- Prahlad Hegde

An MBA graduate, Prahlad Hedge is today one of the top-ranking artists in India. He is one of the top paper cutting artist who can design just about any picture.

Many of his creations have been displayed in many culture centers. He has been featured in several newspaper articles and television shows. His work featured in the Miami Art Fair and the New York Art Expo USA.

Most of his artworks are inspired by nature and wildlife. He also works on varied other subjects apart of wildlife. Many of his paper cuttings have been successful in enhancing the beauty of art lover’s home in India and abroad.

He was awarded in the Avian Category during the first edition of Artists for wildlife and nature’s Annual Show 2018 at Venkatappa Art Gallery. 

Open Category Winner- Lenin Dani Raj

Lenin Dani Raj was born on 22 February 1998, a wildlife photographer and self-taught artist from Coimbatore. Pursuing Masters in social work at PSG Coimbatore.

Lenin has been sketching wildlife for the past 3 years. Color pencils are his favorite medium and he enjoys sketching birds and butterflies the most. He loves experimenting with various mediums and he has done few paper cuttings and miniature paintings of wildlife.

Lenin has contributed his artworks to various magazines and Posters.  His avian artworks got featured in BNHS BUCEROS paintings special magazine.

He strongly believes that artists play a major role in creating awareness in conservation of wildlife.

Student Category Winner- Prerana Kuruganti

Prerana is a student of Sai Krupa School of Arts, Kammanahalli, Bangalore.  She is studying 9th standard in DPS North Bangalore. She started scribbling at the age of four and under the guidance of Mrs. Kavitha Chauhan she is learning various Art forms. She was a runner up in one of the art competitions held in 2013 among 30000 kids. She is also interested in music and learning Piano, Carnatic Vocal and loves listening to Music.

An animal lover, avid reader, travel enthusiast and not to forget she is a foodie. She has been part of AWN annual shows over the couple of years.

Online Contest Winner- Jayavanth Jadhav

Jayavanth Jadhav, born on 13th July 2000, is a self-taught artist from a small town called Koppa in Chikkamagaluru district. He is now pursuing Graphic Designing course at Lisaa School of Design, CREO Valley Group of Schools, Bangalore.

This young artist/photographer has participated at National Integration Meet in 2014 and 2017 held at Hyderabad and is 2 times winner of Regional Integration meet held at Mysore and Dharwad. He has won the National award from Lions Club International for Peace Poster Contest. He has attended many art Camps at Shringeri, Amruthapura and other old heritage places.

He utilizes his weekends for field trips and he volunteers for NGOs like Smileys India, Youth for Seva, I volunteer. He has performed few live demos.

He works with all mediums, pencils, charcoal, Indian ink, acrylics, oils etc. And this young mind is looking forward for more opportunities and to serve the required ones by making the art as a tool and powerful medium.

He has been part of AWN shows since couple of years.