Bhubaneswar, Aug. 18: Visual artist Sudarsan Biswal is touring rural Odisha to raise awareness on contemporary visual art.

In 2000, the New Delhi-based artist had painted his body to appeal to the government to stop felling of trees and earlier this year, he had covered his body with paddy to protest against the ruling BJD’s Re 1-a-kg rice scheme.

Hailing from a remote village near Konark, 37-year-old Biswal was always inclined to art and creativity since childhood. He did his graduation from B.K. College of Art and Crafts here and pursued his master’s degree in fine arts from MS University in Baroda. Starting out as a sculptor, he decided to dabble in painting when he realised the demand of sculptures was far less than that of paintings. It has been two decades since he left the state but he keeps coming back every now and then.

In his early days as a painter and sculptor, he hardly got any support from his family and used to carve stone sculptures at hotels and draw portraits at railway stations to finance his studies.

Biswal is deeply disappointed over the lack of patronage for art.

“There are no scholarships for artists coming from poor families. There is very little knowledge among ministers and administrative officers in the culture department about the import of visual art globally. The office bearers are more interested to showcase their artistic talent than help a struggling artist,” said the painter, who now has a steady income.

He specialises in contemporary art that focuses on critical issues such as industrialisation, education and caste system. Last year, he founded an art regency in Konark and since then, has conducted three art-cum-awareness camps to sensitise local painters explaining to them market demands and how to tweak their work accordingly.

He wishes to create a theme park in Konark where art installations of renowned national and international sculptors can be put up. “Artists are growing at their individual level but that is not helping Odisha. There has to be an art village and art park in place which can give a boost to tourism and also give village-based artists an opportunity to showcase their work,” said Biswal.

Biswal, who has dedicated his life to art, said he does not want to get married.

“My teachers taught to be honest to my art form. I want to die with a brush or a pencil in my hands,” said the artist, who has won quite a few state-level awards in recognition of his work.