Bhubaneswar, Nov. 2: Paribartana Mohanty is a new face in the world of painting. His three years of struggle and hardship finally paid off when he received the prestigious Emerging Artist Award from the Foundation for Indian Contemporary Art (FICA) in 2010.

Within a year, the artist has made a mark in the world of painting and sculptures.

Call it fortune or God’s foul play, Mohanty, now in his late 20s, dreamt of becoming a film-maker, but eventually ended up being one of the most promising faces in the field of art. After completing his printmaking course from Dhauli College of Arts and Craft, Mohanty flew to New Delhi to expand his horizons.

Hailing from a village on the outskirts of Bhubaneswar, Mohanty always had sky-reaching dreams. Under the tutelage of noted painter Ranbir Kaleka, Mohanty learnt the nuances of painting and sculpture. Today, his paintings are displayed in some of the best galleries in the country and abroad.

“A lot has changed since last year. Doors of recognition, popularity and opportunities have opened,” said the artist.

Mohanty caught the eyes of art lovers around the globe after he displayed his artworks at the website www.bestofcollegeart.com. All seven of his paintings got sold even before the auction began. His paintings were an ensemble of human emotions inspired from the Renaissance aesthetics. The lifelike portraits brilliantly captured shades of human sentiments. The painter has taken inspiration from Indira Gandhi while painting one of his popular works titled, I hate lipstick with the famous wig. The dark background that beautifully contrasts with the stern face of the politician makes the painting interesting and amusing. His other works A boy and a crying radio, Red philosopher, Bahadur Shah Zafar, Kala hukka aur safed rumal also received appreciation.

Mohanty’s paintings reflect his creative mind and it is his sense of aesthetics and imagination that are taking him places. This Emerging Artist awardee also got the privilege to hone his skills further at Swiss Arts Council in Switzerland. The painter shows an inclination towards geometric forms of painting. Cubes, rectangles, 3D images fascinate Mohanty more than scenic countryside.

“Exploring geometry in city landscapes such as flyovers, roads, buildings attract me. Delhi has a grey beauty which I want to capture in my paintings,” said the ace artist.

Even after receiving so much fame and adulation, Mohanty still remembers his first love — film-making. He has been working hard on his first video travelogue I have a camera. “The whole idea is to mix art with science,” said the witty artist.

This year has been eventful for the budding Oriya artist whose paintings were displayed at Art Plural Gallery in Singapore, Vadehra Art Gallery and Lalit Kala Academy in New Delhi.