Sandeep Dhopate

The Kit

“When we pass away, what will happen?” “But seriously and honestly, what WILL happen?..” An overwhelming and ephemeral thought that unites our concerns. The unknown obtains a misplaced focus that can distract from our own self-discovery and direction. Even though knowing can be a powerful thing, embracing our own significant, yet temporal presence on this earth is the greatest motivation. The myth of ‘what will happen?’ has planted these arcadian fantasies that dictate our actions on earth. However, it is the allure of an eternal paradise that convolutes the acceptance of our own mortality. After all, “there’s no time like the present.” A cliché? Some may say, but in the spirit of Carpe Diem, this present day is the only guarantee in life.

The Bio

Sandeep Dhopate is a fine art photographer from India, who has successfully turned his hobby into his career. Like many of us, he was influenced by previous generations to follow a beaten path.It was after 12 years in the corporate world, pinnacled by his position as the VP of a media firm, that his consciousness enabled him to abandon material gains and to pursue his life’s passion of photography. Since then, Sandeep has utilised his wanderlust to explore and discover. He has been a nominee for the International Color Awards (USA) along with being featured in Forbes India magazine. His work has been exhibited at the Dali International Photography Festival (China), Athens International Photo Festival (Greece) and Focus Photography Festival (India). The series, ‘Elysium’ is not only an original photographic art series that documents a universally sympathetic narrative, but it is the triumph of the artist honouring his true identity.

The series

Sandeep Dhopate’s fine art photography series, ‘Elysium’ is a visual narrative depicting the journey of man through the treacheries and realities of life. India is the backdrop, though place is irrelevant in the communication of this universal myth. All religions promote the concept of a promised land of eternal happiness after death, an idea created to encourage compassion and respect for everything around. But somewhere along the line, we seemed to have lost sight of the plot and have started engaging in violent, forceful behaviour to gain entry into that Elysium. What has made us believe in a myth so staunchly that we ignore the paradise of now? The elysian fields do exist and we are already here.

AWARDS

PX3, Paris, France (Honorable Mention 2013)
International COLOR Awards USA (Nominated 2012)
World Press Photo of The Year, Mumbai (Winner 2012)
Forbes India Magazine (3rd Place 2011)

EXHIBITIONS

Les Nuits De Pierrevert – Montpellier, France (Jan 2018)
Fòcas Scotland – Platform Gallery, Glasgow, Scotland, UK (Jan 2018)
AAF Battersea Spring 2017 (Mar 2017)
A Surreal Vision, Group Show, Loosen Art Gallery, Italy (Jan 2017)
An Lanntair Arts Centre, Isle of Lewis, Scotland, UK (Jan 2017)
Disappearing Dialogues, Group Show, Bikaner House, New Delhi (Jan 2017)
Sri Aurobindo Centre for Arts & Communication (SACAC), New Delhi (Jan 2017)
Kalinka Gallery, Pondicherry, India (Jan 2017)
Just Another Photo Festival, Kolkatta, India (Jan 2017)
Egaro Photo Festival, Agartala, Tripura, India (Jan 2017)
Addis Foto Festival, Ethiopia 2016 (Jan 2016)
Dali International Photography Festival, China (May 2015)
Athens International Photo Festival, Greece (Apr 2015)
Kala Ghoda Arts Festival, Mumbai, India (Feb 2015)
Solo Show: Dancing into Oblivion @ Focus Photography Festival, Mumbai, India (Jan 2015)