Ganapati Hegde was born in Kumta, in the Uttara Kannada District of Karnataka in 1974. He moved to Bangalore to complete his education, getting his Bachelor of Arts from Karnataka University in 2001. He also earned a Diploma in Drawing and Painting from the Ken school of Arts(1998). Ganapati worked as a Creative Designer at a prestigious software company while pursuing his passion for painting. He has won many state, national and international awards for his drawing and painting, most recently the National Award from Lalith Kala Academy of Art (2009-10). Ganapati’s inspiration comes largely from the natural world. In his words: “My works are based on Nature’s bounty from there; fantasy and horrifying complex structures, collage of leaves, animals, body organs with contemporary thoughts.” Selected Solo Exhibitions Fluid Space, Bangalore (2003) Gallery G, Bangalore (2007, 2010) Selected Group Exhibitions “Kala for Vidya” National Art Exhibition conducted by the Rotary Club, Bangalore (2013) Kynkyny Art Gallery, Bangalore (2013, 2011) “Humour in Art” at the Crimson Art Gallery, Bangalore (2012) “Kala Samavesha” at the Art Lab, Bangalore (2012) “Place in the Sun”, Dubai (2011) “A Twist in the Tail” curated by GiridharKhasnis, Crimson Art Gallery, Bangalore (2011) Central Lalith Kala Academy, Bhubaneshwar (2011) 52nd National Art Exhibition, Calcutta (2010) Chitrakala Parishad, Bangalore (2004) Venkatappa Art Gallery, Bangalore (1998) Awards National Award, 13th Camlin Art Foundation (2011) 52nd National Lalith Kala Academy Award (2009-10)