Giant sculptures and expressive portraits, often stretched over canvases more than five feet long, are some of the most recognized works of Riyas Komu. The artist, who now lives and works in Mumbai, was born in 1971 in Kerala, India. He received his B.F.A. and M.F.A. Degrees at the J.J. School of Art in Mumbai, during which time he was awarded the Hebbar Foundation Scholarship. His body of work spans a variety of media and genres. Particularly striking are his monumental paintings of faces. Komu’s subjects come from the rapidly developing society of modern India: migrant workers in Mumbai, Indian footballers and the likenesses of people in the street. His paintings are rife with protest symbols and political undercurrent. Through them, Komu addresses the theme of opposition in the urban setting, such as glamour versus poverty and hope versus distress.

The artist exhibits his work extensively at group and solo shows in India, and is also active in the European and North American art scenes, which includes his participation in the 2007 Venice Biennial.

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