Nitin Utge creates a world that focuses on children from all strata of society, his two most popular icons being the child worker and the child clown. He says that he is drawn to world of these characters, where the innocent young children are forced to grow up, too much, too soon.
The children in Utge's paintings appear carefree and cheerful but this first impression is deceptive, as a closer look reveals that the cheerfulness is a mask that the child has put on. The mask belies the tragedy of the child. Nitin Utge likes to use high contrast in his paintings; these not only create a sense of drama but also heighten the excitement in his paintings. The bright hues of colours like electric blue, viridian green, scarlet, and chrome yellow, are contrasted with earth tones of brown and ochre. He also creates a contrast by using the brighter colours in an opaque application and the earthy tones in a translucent manner. This also creates an interesting textural quality in his works. This method, he says, allows him to express his vision most vividly.
Utge studied at the Abhinav Kala Mahavidyalaya in Pune, Maharashtra. He has, to his credit, many awards, including the award of the Art Society of India, Mumbai, first in 1998, while he was still a student and the second in 2000. He has participated in many exhibitions in India, like the Kala Mela, Calcutta and the Bombay Art Society Exhibition and at the Nehru Center Art Gallery in Mumbai. He currently lives and works in Mumbai.
" I like to work with contrasting colours"
Born
2nd May, 1976
Education
• 1991-1994 Art Teacher Diploma, Chitrakala Mahavidyalaya Latur.
• 1994-1997 G.D. Art (Drawing and Painting) Abhinav Kala Mahavidyalaya Pune.
• 1997-1998 Dip.A.Ed (Diploma in Art Education) Abhinav Kala Mahavidyalaya Pune.
• 2003-2004 Sir J.J. School of Arts (Photography). First in Maharashtra State.
Awards
• 1995 Abhinav Kala Maha Vidyalaya Pune.
• 1996 Sahyadri School of Arts, Savarde Ratnagari.
• 1996 Marathwada Sanskrutik Parishad Pune.
• 1997 Babalgaon State Art Competition Latur.
• 1998 The Art Society of India. Annual Art Exhibition Mumbai.
• 2000 The Art Society of India Mumbai. (3rd Best Work in the Exhibition)
• 2003 The Bombay Art society (1st Governor Award and Medal)
Solo Shows
• 2002 Solo Show Vinyasa Art Gallery Chennai
• 2002 Solo Show Jehangir Art Gallery Mumbai
• 2002 Solo Show Art Resource Trust Mumbai
Group Shows
• 1996 Group Show "Welcom" Group of Hotel Rama International Aurangabad.
• 1995-96 Group Show "Khusboo" Art Gallery Pune.
• 1996 Group Show "Kalamela" Calcutta.
• 1998 Group Show Nehru Centre A/C Gallery Mumbai.
• 2000 Group Show British Airways, Launch (Chattrapati Shivaji Terminus, Mumbai, Presented By Gallery Art Resource Trust) Mumbai.
• 2000 Group Show Galerie d Art, (Grand Bay, Mauritius) Presented By Gallery Art Resource Trust Mumbai.
• 2000 Group Show "Easel, Art Gallery, Singapore, Presented By Gallery Art Resource Trust Mumbai.
• 2000 Group Show Colour Goda Organised by Jamaat Art Gallery Mumbai.
• 2001 Group Show Indian Contemporary Art Hong Kong
• 2001 Group Show 'JESUS Christ', Harciyanda Art Gallery Mumbai
• 2001 Group Show Art Resource Trust Mumbai
• 2002 Group Show Jamaat Art Gallery Mumbai
• 2005 Group Show Cymroza Art Gallery Mumbai
• 2005 Group Show Vinyasa Art Gallery Chennai