Shanti Dave Artist
“I like the challenge of small paintings, as they require a disciplined mind and control on technique. For me painting is Brahmanand, the ultimate joy that I like to indulge in.”
- Shanti Dave
Shanti Dave (b. 1931) is an Indian artist who resides in the village of Badpura in North Gujarat. He started his career as a signboard and banner painter in Ahmedabad. Dave then joined the Faculty of Fine Arts at the MS University in Baroda, where he obtained his undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in painting.
He is known for his experimental work with encaustic, which he would combine with oil that made his work layered and gradually emerging from a flat surface. His colour palette is often subdued but dramatic.
His work has appeared in various exhibitions across India. He has also received numerous awards, including the Padma Shri in 2008.
Send me more information on Shanti Dave
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Across the Modern Line
A Group Show 3 Sep - 31 Dec 2025This exhibition explores the harmonious interplay between India's timeless artistic traditions and the bold innovations of contemporary art. Each piece reflects a dialogue between the past and the present, blending...Read more -
The Celebration of Solitary
1 - 30 Apr 2023A group show of the artworks of 9 different artists, all of whom are engaging, dwelling, and celebrating the self, in terms of expression, technique or a community they belong...Read more -
Invoke | Revive | Sustain
1 - 30 Nov 2021Highlights include Satish Gujral's effervescent canvases, which reflect his modernist approach rooted in traditional Indian practices. Shanti Dave's work focuses on the medium of murals and its possibilities, while Neeraj...Read more
Q.1) Who is Shanti Dave and what is his contribution to Indian art?
Shanti Dave is a renowned modernist who pioneered Calligraphic Abstraction. He contributed significantly by turning the Devanagari script into a visual medium. A Padma Shri awardee, he is famous for his massive murals and the use of the ancient encaustic technique.
Q.2) Where can I find galleries exhibiting Shanti Dave's paintings in India?
Sanchit Art Gallery in Delhi is a key venue for viewing and acquiring Shanti Dave's work. His paintings are also featured in their traveling exhibitions and international fairs like Kala Sutra in Singapore and Hong Kong.
Q.3) What is the artistic style of Shanti Dave?
His style is characterized by thick impasto and encaustic wax. He layers text-like shapes to create a sculptural, three-dimensional effect on canvas. His work is often monumental and tactile, reflecting a fusion of traditional calligraphy and modern abstraction.
Q.4) Which online platforms sell authentic Shanti Dave artwork?
Authentic Shanti Dave paintings can be found on the Sanchit Art Gallery website. They offer a secure way to collect his unique encaustic works, providing full documentation regarding the history and condition of each piece.
Q.5) How to verify the authenticity of a Shanti Dave painting before purchase? Verification should be conducted by experts at Sanchit Art Gallery. Because his hot-wax technique is so unique and labor-intensive, it requires professional assessment to ensure the material integrity and signature match his documented body of work.
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Across the Modern Line
A Group Show 3 Sep - 31 Dec 2025This exhibition explores the harmonious interplay between India's timeless artistic traditions and the bold innovations of contemporary art. Each piece reflects a dialogue between the...Read more -
Imaginery and Imagination
In Contemporary Indian Art May 13, 2023Read more -
The Celebration of Solitary
1 - 30 Apr 2023A group show of the artworks of 9 different artists, all of whom are engaging, dwelling, and celebrating the self, in terms of expression, technique...Read more -
Invoke | Revive | Sustain
1 - 30 Nov 2021Highlights include Satish Gujral's effervescent canvases, which reflect his modernist approach rooted in traditional Indian practices. Shanti Dave's work focuses on the medium of murals...Read more