(b. 1971)
Riyas Komu was born in Kerala, and moved to Mumbai in 1992 to study literature. Dropping out during his final year, Komu eventually obtained his Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Fine Art from the Sir J.J. School of Art in 1997 and 1999 respectively. Since his graduation, Komu has been constantly asserting and pushing himself with a strong body of work. Some of Komu’s recent solo shows include ones of his photographic works at the Guild Gallery, Mumbai, in 2008 and 2005, and two exhibitions held at Sakshi Gallery, Mumbai in 2005 and 2002. His works have also been featured in group exhibitions held at Saffronart and the Guild Gallery, Mumbai, in 2004; the Harmony Show, Mumbai, in 2003, where he won the ‘Excellence Award for Emerging Artist of the Year’; the Fine Art Company, Mumbai, in 2002, the Guild Gallery, Mumbai, in 2001 and 2002; Lakeeren and Tao Art Gallery, Mumbai, in 2000; and the National Gallery of Modern Art annual shows in 1999 and 2000. In 1997, Komu received the two year long K. K. Hebbar Foundation Society Scholarship, and has also been honored with the Bombay Art Society Award in 1996 and the Maharashtra State Art Prize in 1995. The artist lives and works in Mumbai.