Shibu Natesan (b. 1966)
Shibu Natesan, born in 1966 in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, is a contemporary Indian artist known for his critical realism and subversive use of photography. He earned his BFA in Painting from the College of Fine Arts, Trivandrum, in 1987, followed by a Master’s in Printmaking from M.S. University, Baroda, in 1991. A two-year residency at the Rijksakademie in Amsterdam (1996-97) deepened his artistic exploration. Natesan’s work often draws from media and popular culture, transforming everyday presuppositions into metaphors. His renowned series, “The Futility of Device” and “Missing,” reflect his ability to displace meaning while maintaining visual realism. He has exhibited widely in India and internationally, earning accolades like the Uriot Prize and a gold medal from M.S. University.
The artist currently lives between Vadodara and London.
