Srinivas Surti is an artist, educator and practice-based doctoral researcher currently residing in Suffolk. His work delves into the material and graphic qualities of shell-suit sportswear from the mid-1980s to early 1990s to explore ideas of collective identity through the aesthetics of style, colour, and pattern. The current working title for his PhD at Chelsea College of Arts is — Re-thinking the sculptural relief as image-object: How can the stylistic qualities of the synthetic tracksuit be translated through art practice as a visual expression of universality?
In August 2023, he participated in an International Doctoral School in Nida, Lithuania, which focused on facilitating dialogue between academics and PhD researchers from Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Lithuania, and the UK.
In 2022, he co-edited a print publication titled Cha with Artist and fellow PhD researcher Remi Rana Allen, which was funded by CCW Mphil / PhD Initiative Fund. Cha explored the notion of Brownness as a diverse and inclusive mode of cultural identification. In the current polarising climate of populism which has fuelled nationalist agendas of ‘us and them’ – Cha uses the analogy of a tea break to offer a space for contemplating states of cultural in-betweenness.
Surti completed his MA in Fine Art at Central Saint Martins in 2002, where he was awarded the Rootstein Hopkins Postgraduate Award. Since then, he has exhibited in London and throughout the UK. In addition to his artistic practice, Surti has recently been involved in curation and print publication, contributing to the broader discourse within contemporary art.
Recent selected exhibitions and research activities:
The Elasticity of Research through the Sensorial - Nida Doctoral School, Lithuania Aug 2023.
ChArt (co-curator) - Triangle Space – Chelsea College of Arts. March 2023.
Animal, Vegetable, Mineral - The Art Station, Saxmundham, Suffolk. Dec 2022.
Discursivity - Triangle Space, Chelsea College of Arts. London, October 2021.
Here - The Art Station, Saxmundham, Suffolk, June/July 2021
Blender - The Cello Factory, London. Supported by The London Group. Jan 2020
Asylum Studios Group Exhibition - Asylum Studios, Rendlesham, Suffolk. Dec 2019
Unboxed - Artstation Project, Saxmundham, Suffolk – May / June 2019.
The Collection - London Bronze Casting and Squire & Partners, London – May 2019.
The Sketchup online Instagram Residency - May 2019.
Malevolent Eldritch Shrieking - Attercliffe, Sheffield 2018.
Annual Ipswich Biennale - Atlas House, Ipswich 2018.
30• Celsius - ASC Gallery, London 2016.
Transitional Landscapes - The Centre for Fine Art Photography, Fort Collins, USA 2016.
NO-ONE LIVES IN THE REAL WORLD - Standpoint Gallery, London 2015.
BRUTE - ARTHOUSE1, London 2015.
Cracks on Modern Transparencies - ASC Window Space Projects, London 2014-15.
Bounding Line - Solo exhibition at Blyth Gallery, Imperial College, London 2014.
The Distance Between - Bond House Gallery, London 2014.
The Zeitgeist Open 2013 - Bond House Gallery, London 2013.
The London Group Centenary Show - Cello Factory, London 2013.
Ground Control - Elements Art Space, Bath 2012.
Exeter Contemporary Open - Exeter Phoenix 2011.
Space Cadets - Blyth Gallery, London 2011.
Jerwood Drawing Prize 2010 - Jerwood Space, London and touring to Summerfield Gallery, Cheltenham; South Hill Park, Bracknell; Oriel Myrddin Gallery, Carmaarthen; DLI Museum.
Current part-time teaching
Lecturer in Printmaking at University of Suffolk on BA Fine Art and BA Graphic Design courses. Since 2019.
Tutor MA Fine Art (online) at Falmouth University. Since 2021.
Lecturer at Norwich University of the Arts. Since 2023.
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