“Nature Captured” features sixty-three stunning, full-color wildlife photographs of some of the rarest and most endangered Indian species. From the elegance of close ups to the timeless beauty of behavioral shots of endangered wildlife, from the adrenaline of the kill to the charm of infant animals, photographer Yogendra M. Shah takes us on a vivid journey through the animal world. In this mesmerizing exhibition, we see forty-nine species including well-known, charismatic animals like the Asiatic Lion, the Asian Leopard, the Indian Wolf, the Imperial Eagle, the Bengal Tiger, the Peacock, and the Asiatic Elephant. All of the animals featured in this exhibition are native to India, and most are on the IUCN Red List, an international organization that ranks the world’s most endangered wildlife. Yogendra’s masterful and emotive portrayal of each animal reminds us all of the ties that bind mankind to wildlife, and the responsibility of all nations and individuals to protect and preserve animals in their natural environment. No matter what the setting, Yogendra’s work reveals to us the abundance of beauty, personality, and emotional power in the animals who share the earth with us.
Yogendra is an Indian-born photographer whose career reflects the many challenges of photographing wildlife in India. He is an adventurer with great skill to make art from his exploits. There is constant conflict between man and nature in India, one of the fastest growing countries in the world, as the natural habitats of these animals are progressively destroyed every day. It is now common knowledge that the wildlife of a region will survive only if the local population is sympathetic to the plight of wild animals. This has increased the importance of all those who communicate the inherent essentialness of wildlife protection, including and especially wildlife photographers like Yogendra; photography captures the power, beauty, and vulnerability of these animals in one eternal moment, in a medium that can be widely distributed and enjoyed by the masses. In “Nature Captured,” the photographic medium is fully exploited both as a conduit for beauty and a tool to educate and raise awareness. As Yogendra has remarked, “There is no greater feeling than the realization of one’s existence as a part of the larger creation. Being a wildlife photographer is so fulfilling, it is as important to enjoy shooting a photograph as sharing what I have enjoyed with others.”
YOGENDRA M. SHAH
Yogendra M. Shah is an Indian-born wildlife photographer who is currently working as a research affiliate at the Gir National Park in Gujarat, India. He was also recently commissioned by the Gujarat Forest Department to research the distribution and status of small rare species in the Saurastra region, a project he has been working on for over six years now. Yogendra has actively worked with wildlife for the past 16 years after receiving his Bachelor of Commerce in Zoology at the Gujarat University of India. He also has a Masters of Science in Ecology and Environment from Manipal Sikkim University in New Delhi. Throughout his years of field experience, Yogendra has been invited to do research and photography for many big wildlife organizations in India, such as the Gujarat Forest Department and the Rajesthan Forest Department. He has worked on research projects including the waterfowl census at the Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary, the Great Indian Bustard census at Naliya, and the tiger census at Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve, among others. Yogendra has traveled to many areas throughout India to examine and study India’s magnificent wildlife. His photography has been nationally exhibited throughout India, and in 2002 he received the Wildlife Photography Award for his distinguished wildlife photography from the prestigious visual arts school, Lalit Kala Academy in New Delhi. Yogendra has also made important contributions to major wildlife publications such as Important Bird Areas for the Bomaby Natural History Society and The Gir Lion by Dr. H.S. Singh. Yogendra’s show at Tamarind Art Gallery will be his first international exhibition.
About Tamarind Art:
Since its establishment in 2003, Tamarind Art Gallery has dedicated itself to the promotion of contemporary Indian art in North America and throughout the world. The gallery celebrates Indian heritage and artwork by showcasing high caliber art, exhibitions and performances and expanding the genre’s audience.
Keeping up to date with what’s new in the contemporary art scene, Tamarind Art supports an assortment of art mediums ranging from painting and sculpture to photography and mixed media. The gallery’s past curated exhibitions have featured traditional pieces such as paintings by established senior Indian artists, as well as pieces created by young, fresh talents using innovative and experimental forms of conceptual installations and video art. This combination of rich tradition and modern trends places Tamarind Art among the leading institutions highlighting Indian contemporary art in the United States.
Nature Captured: Endangered Species of India on view 7 July through 8 August, 2009. For more information on Tamarind Art, upcoming events and current or past exhibitions, please visit our website at tamarindart.com To contact the gallery, send an email to [email protected] or call 212-990-9000.
