Mrugren Rathod

Mrugren Rathod was born in 1982 in Ahmedabad, Gujarat State, India. He received his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in visual art (sculpture) from the Faculty of Fine Arts, M.S. University, Vadodara, Gujarat, India in 2008 and 2010, respectively. Based in Baroda, Gujarat, Rathod has exhibited across India. His exhibition with Art-in-Buildings was the first presentation of his work in the United States. 
 
Rathod merges surroundings in his practice, giving back to the environment what he receives. Locations determine subject and medium, and installations alter or permeate the existing environment or create a new environment altogether where the viewer is invited to participate. He strives to incorporate varied relevant materials linked to his agenda and create work for lay folk. In his residencies and general practice, Rathod attempts to be aware of socio-political-cultural settings, and he has incorporated these issues in his work to address the larger questions of ecology/environmental implications. 
 
Rathod has participated in group shows including “New Documents” curated by Rahul Bhattacharya, New Delhi in 2011; “Monster’s Factory” at Tank, Diesel exhibiting space, Fort, Mumbai in 2014. His solo project, “Let US face the future” was displayed at the Time Equities Inc. Art-in-Buildings program, Maiden Lane Exhibition Space, Manhattan, New York in 2012. Residencies include Sandarbh, Rajasthan – 2011; Kashi Art Residency, Kochi – 2011; Cultural Residency by Art and Deal Magazine at Puri, Odisha – 2011; Art OMI, New York – 2012; Space 118 – Mumbai; S. N. Sultan Art Residency in Bangladesh – 2013; JSW Abhisaran (SAARC) art residency at Vijayanagar, Hampi – 2014; Yatoo International at South Korea – 2015; GNAP (Global Nomadic Art Project, Gujarat) – 2015; He participated in the Public Art Intensive program conducted by Diana Campbell at CONA, Mumbai in 2013 – ’14. Rathod’s current on-going project is Kesari Kand in and around Gir Forest, Gujarat. 
 
Rathod has also completed commissioned individual projects, as well as projects in collaboration with Siddhartha Kararwal and Transhuman Collective, including MTV Channel “Lost Party” at Lonawala, Maharashtra – 2016; Siemens India – 2013; Inmobi LTD, Banglore – 2013; Hermes, Fort, Mumbai – 2012; La MILL Lifestyle Store, Mumbai – 2011 and many more.