Journey of Veteran Artist Ashok Kumar as CoChairperson India for the 23rd BIEAF Busan South Korea

From Sun To Boy: The Luminous Journey of Veteran Artist Ashok Kumar as Co-Chairperson India for the 23rd BIEAF Busan South Korea

Delving into the depths of cultural diversity and human imagination, Ashok Kumar's artistic odyssey transcends borders, weaving together threads of inspiration from Bihar to France, from New Delhi to Busan.

Artist Ashok Kumar

Born on February 1, 1965 in the vibrant landscapes of Bihar, India, Kumar's journey began at the College of Art, Patna, where he graduated with distinction in 1987. Fuelled by a relentless pursuit of artistic excellence, he secured a coveted scholarship for advanced studies in fine art at L'Ecole Superieure des Beaux-arts de Marseille, France in 1990, and his dedication was further recognized with a prestigious Senior Fellowship in Painting from the Ministry of Culture, Government of India in 2015-16. Today, as a true global citizen of the art world, his work has traversed continents leaving an indelible mark on audiences from France to Peru, from China to Chile, and he has been nominated as one of the Co-Chairpersons - India for the 23rd Busan International Environmental Art Festival 2026.

The Festival, the 23rd BIEAF 2026 - Busan International Environmental Art Festival, is being held under the powerful theme From SUN To BOY - Art of Hope. This year, 848 artists have been selected from 84 countries, making it one of the world's largest environmental art gatherings. The exhibition will run from 10 September 2026 to 28 February 2027, both in the Online Gallery and in the physical gallery in Busan, South Korea, under the direction and curation of Mr. Yousang Lee. The festival proclaims- Come together! A global art festival exploring nature and humanity.

The featured work for BIEAF 2026 is his acclaimed painting 'Sun Rays on the Earth', Acrylic on Canvas, 92 cm x 76 cm, Year 2026. In this luminous composition, the sun emerges as the eternal source of life, dominating the canvas as a golden orb radiating vibrant blue and yellow geometric rays that symbolize hope, renewal and the interconnected rhythm of existence. At its center, on a fragile and textured green sphere symbolizing the Earth itself, a child in a vivid red shirt reaches upward toward a flourishing sapling, embodying innocence, curiosity and humanity's responsibility to protect and sustain life for future generations.

In the background, two serene faces oversee this sacred act - a blue-white meditative face with closed eyes signifying wisdom, inner consciousness and spiritual awareness, and a feminine profile symbolizing compassion, beauty and the nurturing force of nature. Together they represent Purush and Prakriti, the harmony of intellect and emotion, humanity and environment in delicate equilibrium. Executed in Kumar's signature bold geometric forms and luminous contrasts of gold, blue and green, the painting balances abstraction with symbolism, celebrating vitality while inviting contemplation, and perfectly visualizes BIEAF's core message of Art of Hope - when sunlight becomes life in a child's hands.

Kumar's artistic statement reflects this philosophy, as he says, my creation explores new vision through the imagination of the human being as an origin belongs to our cultural diversity with many symbols and signs. What we indulge or experience in the surrounding nature with positive vibes and thoughts are usually creating ecstasy in our mind and radiates peace with togetherness. I depict aesthetically the semi-figurative human form with the relevant combination of nature and other organisms in my creation to explore the high consciousness and spirituality.

Highlighted in his journey are his major solo exhibitions including 'Ecstasy Within' at Kim Bo Seong Art Center, Seoul from 1st to 10th July 2025 and at Yukyung Art Museum, Geoje Island from 1st to 25th August 2025, both organized by the Haegeumgang Theme Museum, followed by his third personal exhibition 'Ecstasy Within' at Namhae Museum, Namhae Island, South Korea. In 2025 he also presented 'Vibrant Touch' at Convention Foyer, Habitat World, Lodhi Road, New Delhi from 23rd to 27th September, and 'Cosmic Vibes' at Convention Centre, YashoBhoomi, New Delhi from 10th to 12th October, along with Race, a special solo exhibition curated by Mansour Younis in Cairo, Egypt. His earlier significant solos include 'Vibrant Exploration' at RPR Gallery, Lado Sarai, New Delhi in 2024, 'Ecstasy Within' at Jehangir Art Gallery, Mumbai in 2017 with his recent paintings exhibited on the ARTSY PAGE by ACS Gallery, Chicago, USA in 2017-18, Astonishing Effect at ColorsCorridor Art Gallery, New Delhi in 2016, and his early exhibitions at Galerie éof, Paris in 1998, Bajaj Art Gallery, Mumbai in 2000 and Gallery One, Jehangir Art Gallery in 2005.

His international biennale presence has been equally remarkable, with participation in RESET Langkawi Art Biennale, Malaysia in 2023, the 9th Beijing International Biennale, Beijing, China in 2022, Universal Harmony 3rd Malaysia Art Biennale, Penang in 2018, the Sixth Beijing International Art Biennale in 2015, the First Malaysian Art Biennale, Langkawi in 2014, the International Biennale Artists Exhibition at Dallas, TX, USA in 2011, and the Sixth Biennial of Contemporary Indian Arts, Bhopal in 1996.

He believes how wonderful it would have been if the whole world had been connected through beauty.