Biography

Shakti Maira is a critically acclaimed artist-philosopher from India. His work as a sculptor, painter and printmaker has been widely exhibited, and is largely centered in a Buddhism-inspired spirituality. It is in the collections of the National Gallery of Modern Art in India and in private collections around the world.
He has written extensively on art, design and aesthetics, and is the author of two books – Towards Ananda: Rethinking Indian Art and Aesthetics and The Promise of Beauty & Why it Matters. He has conducted a number of art workshops in schools in India and abroad, and has been a guest lecturer on art and aesthetics in U.S. colleges. He has been invited to speak at several international events, including the International Arts Education Symposium in Seoul, the Mystics & Scientists Conferences in the UK, and the Edinburgh International Festival.
He was born in 1947 in Shimla, and lives in New Delhi.
One Person Exhibitions
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Subverting Duchamp, Celebrating Beauty, Reconnecting with Mumbai
2019, Tao Art Gallery, Mumbai -
Formed Resonance: Sculpture and Drawings
2017, India International Centre, New Delhi -
The Sangha: A Creative Journey (1989 – 2011)
2012, India International Centre, New Delhi -
Seekers
2012, India Art Fair, New Delhi -
Bhumi – Selected work
2010, India International Centre, New Delhi -
Beej
2003, Jamaat Art Gallery, Mumbai; Shridharani Art Gallery, New Delhi -
Pilgrim’s Path & Transitional Self
2001, Shridharani Gallery, New Delhi; Jamaat Art Gallery, Mumbai -
Bodhi Series
1999 , Jehangir Art Gallery, Bombay; The Fine Art Company Gallery, Bombay -
Chitrakala: Celebrating Indian Art on India’s 50th anniversary of Independence
1998, Galerie Grewal Mohanjeet, Paris -
Insight/Absorption (Folding panels) & Silent Witnesses (Ceramic Sculpture)
1997, Shridharani Gallery, New Delhi; Taj Art Gallery, Bombay -
Ganga as Grace
1995, The Village Gallery, New Delhi -
Sculpture, Marble Paintings & Prints
1994, Shridharani Gallery, New Delhi -
Recent Work
1994, Windsor Gallery, Bangalore -
Intimations of Transcendence & Sunyatta
1992, Cymroza Gallery, Bombay -
Intimations of Transcendence
1991, Lalit Kala Academy (National Arts Academy), New Delhi -
Paintings and Drawings
1990, India International Centre, New Delhi -
Chikai Bardo Series
1990, New England College Gallery, Henniker -
Fallen God Series
1989, Triveni Gallery, New Delhi -
Fallen God Series
1989, Taj Art Gallery, Bombay -
New Hampshire Drawings
1988, Triveni Gallery, New Delhi -
Meditation in Landscape
1985, Salon des Artistes, Boston -
Mountains Breathing, Whispering Mandalas
1979, Taj Art Gallery, Bombay -
Mountain Ways and Mist of Mind
1978, Taj Art Gallery, Bombay -
Waves of Sea, Waves of Mind
1976, Taj Art Gallery, Bombay -
Monsoon Skies
1974, Taj Art Gallery, Bombay -
Untitled
1973, Taj Art Gallery, Bombay
Group Shows
Bombay, Los Angeles, Colombo, Manchester, Concord, Acton, Portland, Newport, Washington DC, Portsmouth, New York, Henniker, Boston, New Delhi, Santa Fe, Cambridge, Bangalore, Rotterdam, Hollis and Madras.
Books
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The Promise of Beauty and Why It Matters
2017, Harper Collins India -
Artistic Visions and the Promise of Beauty
Cross-Cultural Perspectives
Co-edited with Kathleen Higgins and Sonia Sikka
2016, Springer International Publishing, Switzerland -
Towards Ananda
Rethinking Indian Art and Aesthetics
2006, Penguin Viking India, New Delhi
Essays
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The Cult of the Goddess
Edited by Arputha Rani Sengupta
2015, DK Printworld, New Delhi -
Transmissions and Transformations
Edited by Kapila Vatsyayan
2011, Primus Books, New Delhi -
Educating for Creativity
An Asian Vision of Arts in Education
2005, UNESCO, Bangkok -
Learning through the Arts
2005, IIC Quarterly, New Delhi
Columns and Articles
2002 – 2014, The Hindu, First City Magazine, Resurgence and Design Today Magazine
Public Talks and Seminars
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Mystics & Scientists Conference: The Nature of Inspiration in Art, Science and Spirituality
Inspiration in Art: Unfolding, Connecting, Forming
2013, University of Warwick, Warwick, England -
Symposium on Biology and Beyond
Art & Science
2012, CCMB, Hyderabad -
International Seminar on The End of Art and the Promise of Beauty
The Hollowing of Art and the Call of Beauty
2012, New Delhi -
Edinburgh International Festival
Heirlooms Panel
2011, Edinburgh, Scotland -
Ramsay Garden Seminars
View from India – Rebalancing Economic Policy as if Aesthetics Mattered
2011, Edinburgh, Scotland -
Cortona India
Beauty – A Fundamental Organizing System in a Relational World
2010, Hyderabad -
Glasgow Centre for Population Health
Nested Relationships: Beauty, Aesthetics, Art and Happiness (BAAH!)
2009, Glasgow, Scotland -
The Attic Sacred Arts Festival
Insight Forms: Creating a Contemporary Spiritual Art Language
2009, New Delhi -
Mystics & Scientists
Beauty – A Master Key for Sustainable Relationships
2009, London -
Mystics & Scientists Conference: The Science of Well-Being and the Experience of Bliss
Bliss and Beauty - An Indian Vision
2009, University College, Winchester -
Sharpham House
Buddhist Aesthetics and Contemporary Dharma Art
2008, Devon -
INTACH Seminar
Chairperson - Best Practices in Intangible Heritage Education
2008, New Delhi -
The Attic
Buddhist Aesthetics and the Spiritual in Contemporary Art Practice
2008, New Delhi -
Jamia Millia Islamia
Seminar on 'Visualizing the Sacred: Fine Arts and the World Religious Traditions'; Valedictory Address: The Spiritual in Art: A personal exploration
2007, New Delhi -
International Indology Conference
Indian Aesthetics in Everyday Life
2006, Goa -
The National Museum Institute
Seminar on Cult of the Goddess Past & Present in Indian Art - The Goddess Steps out of the Iconographic Frame
2005, New Delhi -
Korean Arts and Culture Education Service & Korean Association of Arts Education: International Arts Education Symposium
Creative Partnership: Theory and Practice in the Field of Arts Education
2005, Seoul -
India International Centre
Symposium on Learning through the Arts in Asia
2005, New Delhi -
Indian Institute of Advanced Studies
Identity, Influences and Initiatives in Contemporary Asian Art and Aesthetics
2004, Shimla -
Natya Kala Conference
Suggestion in Art
2003, Chennai -
Brown University
Spirituality in Landscape
1989, Providence, RI
Lectures and School Workshops
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Navdanya-Bija
Beauty and Ecology
2010, Dehradun -
Art from Indian Hands Workshops for Schools
2000-2007, Rajghat Krishnamurti School, Varanasi; Akanksha, Mumbai; Woodstock School (with Harvard University Art in School Program), Mussoorie; Navdanya-Bija, Dehradun; Bluebells International School, New Delhi; Sriram Junior School, New Delhi; Sriram Senior School, Gurgaon; Mayo Girls, Ajmer; Pathways School, Dubai -
Plymouth State University
Multiculturism and the Arts
2000, Plymouth, NH -
Arts in Education Program, NH State Council on the Art
Roster Artist
1999-2001, Concord, NH -
New Hampshire Allstate Art Festival
Faculty Artist
1999-2000, Currier Gallery, Manchester, NH -
Arts in Education Conference, NH State Council on the Art
1999, Concord, NH -
Holderness School
Faculty on 'Artward Bound' Program
1998, Holderness, NH -
New England College
Buddhism 101
1990, Henniker, NH -
Rivier College
Guest Lecturer
1990-94, Nashua, NH
Outreach
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NCERT Committee of Arts Education Curriculum
2006, New Delhi -
The India Foundation for the Arts (IFA)
Consultant
2006, Bangalore -
Art Camp
2004, Mayo College, Ajmer -
The Arts India Artists' Camp
1997, Mumbai -
New England Sculptors Association
Juried Member
1990-1991, Boston, MA -
Integral Institute, Integral Art Branch
Founding Member
1990, Boulder, CO -
New Hampshire Art Association
Director
1989-91, NH
Collections
National Gallery of Modern Art, India and leading corporate and private collections in India, U.S. and Europe.
Education
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Indian Institute of Management
Ahmedabad -
St Stephen’s College
Delhi -
Mayo College
Ajmer