Mrinal Dey was born in 1979 in West bengal, who completed his Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts with a specialization in Painting, and his Master’s degree from Indira Kala Sangeet University, Chhattisgarh, in 2005 and 2007 respectively.
Dey’s acrylics on canvas are mainly figural with a single voluminous figure occupying most of the frame. His use of a bright palette is an influence of the folk style of painting prevalent in his native region. Space is an important factor in the artist’s work. He attempts to expand his space on the limited canvas, yet, at the same time, seems to comment on the lack of it. In many of his paintings, the viewer is confronted by a man crouched inside a box, uncomfortably, trying to fit into a constrained space, symbolic perhaps of contemporary society.
Dey believes that art cannot be apolitical, that it must have a specified standpoint. However, he does not want his art to be termed ‘radical’ or ‘anti-establishment’. Dey’s canvases are peppered with symbols from the contemporary world, the barcode meriting a special mention. Using these icons, the artist raises questions about the present-day commodification of almost all people and objects, including art.
Mrinal Dey had a solo exhibition titled ‘Waiting In The Wings’ at Ganges Art Gallery, Kolkata, in 2009. He has also exhibited solo at the Indira Kala Sangeet University, Khairagarh, in 2005 and 2007. His work has been featured in several group shows including ‘Young Blood’ at Ganges Art Gallery, Kolkata, in 2009; and ‘Agnipath’ in New Delhi in 2005. Dey was awarded a gold medal at ‘Agnipath’ and received two scholarships in 2008 from the Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation, Canada, and the China Government Scholarship from the Ministry of Culture, Government of India, New Delhi.