Vivan Sundaram Biography: Artworks, Age, Net Worth, Wikipedia, Parents, Siblings, Wife

Vivan Sundaram was an influential figure in contemporary Indian art, renowned for his innovative and politically engaged works.

His career spanned various mediums, including painting, sculpture, installation, photography, and video art. Sundaram‘s art often explored themes of identity, history, and social issues.

Profile

• Full name: Vivan Sundaram
• Date of birth: May 28, 1943
• Age: Deceased
• Gender: Male
• Place of birth: Simla, Simla Hill States, British Raj (now Shimla, Himachal Pradesh, India)
• State of origin: Himachal Pradesh
• Nationality: Indian
• Profession: Artist
• Height: N/A
• Parents: Father: Kalyan Sundaram, Mother: Indira Sher-Gil
• Siblings: Sister: Navina Sundaram
• Spouse: Geeta Kapur
• Children: None
• Relationship status: Married
• Ethnicity: Indian
• Net worth: $2 million

Early Life and Education

Vivan Sundaram was born on May 28, 1943, in Simla, Simla Hill States, British Raj, into a family with a rich cultural and intellectual heritage. His father, Kalyan Sundaram, served as the Chairman of the Law Commission of India from 1968 to 1971, while his mother, Indira Sher-Gil, was the sister of the celebrated Hungarian-Jewish Indian modern artist Amrita Sher-Gil.

He received his early education at The Doon School, where he was briefly tutored by the Bengal School of Art painter Sudhir Khastgir. Sundaram furthered his studies in painting at the Faculty of Fine Arts, Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda.

Seeking to expand his horizons, he pursued advanced studies at the Slade School of Fine Art in London from 1966 to 1968. During his time in London, he also studied the history of cinema and became actively involved in the student movements of May 1968, experiences that would profoundly influence his later work.

Personal Life

Vivan Sundaram was married to Geeta Kapur, a distinguished art historian and critic. The couple shared a deep bond rooted in their mutual passion for the arts.

They collaborated on various projects and were instrumental in shaping contemporary art discourse in India.

Career

Sundaram Initially trained as a painter, he expanded his practice to include sculpture, printmaking, photography, installation, and video art. His works were characterized by a deep engagement with political and social themes, often reflecting on issues of identity, memory, and history.

In the 1980s, Sundaram‘s art took on a more figurative approach, addressing complex questions of identity and societal structures. He was among the pioneers of installation art in India, utilizing this medium to create immersive experiences that challenged viewers’ perceptions.

Notable projects include Memorial (1993, 2014), a response to communal violence in Bombay, and The Sher-Gil Archive (1995), which delved into his family’s history through archival exploration.

His series Re-take of Amrita (2001–2006) involved digital photomontages based on photographs taken by his grandfather, Umrao Singh Sher-Gil, reimagining family narratives and histories.

Net Worth

Vivan Sundaram‘s net worth at the time of his death was estimated around $2million

Death

Vivan Sundaram passed away on March 29, 2023, in New Delhi, India, at the age of 79, following a brief illness. His death marked the end of a prolific career that significantly influenced contemporary art in India and beyond.

Social Media

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