Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Exclusive: Indian artist wins UK's prestigious art award

Exclusive: Indian artist wins UK's prestigious art award

ARTIST Prabhakar Pachpute has today (26) become the first India-based artist to be awarded a prestigious UK art award.

The Derek Williams Trust Artes Mundi Purchase Prize, set up 18 years ago, is given to an outstanding piece of contemporary art. It is a part of the International Artes Mundi Prize.


Pachpute, who is based in Pune, India, told Eastern Eye: “I am deeply honoured and really happy. I feel humbled.”

Pachpute's artworks - Rattling Knot  (2020) and The Close Observer (2020) - will be acquired by National Museum Wales for its permanent collection of contemporary art.

At ArtesMundi Photo credit PollyThomas 105 Installation view at Artes Mundi 9 at National Museum, Cardiff- Photo credit -PollyThomas

The works are currently on display at National Museum Cardiff as part of the UK’s largest biennial international exhibition and art prize – Artes Mundi 9 – which runs until September 5.

In an interview with Eastern Eye, Pachpute revealed how most of his work revolves around mining and its societal and human aspects.

Born and brought up in a small town in Maharashtra, India, he pursued the art of sculpting from one of the most prestigious universities for fine arts in India- Maharaja Sayajirao University (MSU) of Vadodra.

After pursuing some time in this field, Pachpute said he felt drawn towards arts depicting mining and related aspects owing to his childhood memories.

“I never thought that mining would become a subject of my art. But around 2011-2012, memories started coming like a flashback and I started exploring this area,” the artist said.

Travelling to different places and meeting different people also helped Pachpute with his art.

“I travelled and visited all kinds of mines in Brazil and also in the US. That engagement was important for me to understand the universe and it also helped me to compare the practices as they happen in India.

“In the UK, I saw restoration of open-pit mines. So those things actually really triggered me to focus on that aspect,” Pachpute said.

Canary in a coalmine At Clark House Initiative 2012 Photo   the Artist 'Canary in a coalmine' - Charcoal on Wall-Clark House Initiative, Mumbai, Shunya collective

In his work, Pachpute has created a visual language that reflects the working conditions, relentless excavation, unequal social development, and land politics as he has seen them in the mining industry.

Pachpute has exhibited internationally from São Paulo to Istanbul, from Barcelona to Brisbane. Yet this acquisition marks the first time that work by the Indian artist has been purchased by a museum or institution in the UK.

On Indians’ receptiveness towards arts and the artists, Pachpute said "there is very little support and encouragement from the government and society".

“I don't see that many scholarships or awards or encouragement or even platforms in India. There are a few private institutions, but in terms of population here, it’s very less,” Pachpute told Eastern Eye. “There are so many young artists still struggling for their career.”

Admitting that his own family was initially not very happy over his choice of higher education as well as profession, Pachpute said India is yet to develop an “appreciation for art”.

More For You

Modi & Trump

Donald Trump and Narendra Modi shake hands as they attend a joint press conference at the White House on February 13, 2025.

Reuters

Trump greets Modi on 75th birthday, trade talks continue in Delhi

Highlights:

  • Both leaders reaffirm commitment to India-US partnership
  • Trade talks resume in New Delhi amid tariff tensions
  • India defends purchase of discounted Russian oil

US PRESIDENT Donald Trump on Tuesday called Indian prime minister Narendra Modi and greeted him ahead of his 75th birthday. The phone call sparked hopes of a reset in India-US ties, which had been under strain after Washington doubled tariffs on Indian goods to 50 per cent.

Keep ReadingShow less
uk weather

Forecasters say 30–40mm of rain is likely to fall widely

iStock

Met Office issues yellow weather warnings as heavy rain threatens flooding in 15 UK areas

Highlights:

  • Two yellow weather warnings issued for parts of Wales and the Midlands
  • Up to 70mm of rain expected, bringing risk of flooding, power cuts and travel delays
  • Flood alerts in place for rivers in Cumbria, Devon, Cornwall and Carmarthenshire
  • Residents advised to prepare emergency kits and stay updated with forecasts

Heavy rainfall set to cause disruption

The Met Office has issued two yellow weather warnings covering parts of Wales and the Midlands today, with forecasters warning of potential flooding, travel disruption and power cuts. Between 6am and 11am, persistent downpours are expected to sweep eastwards, bringing nearly a month’s worth of rain in just a few hours.

Areas under warning

South and southwest Wales are expected to be worst affected, with Ceredigion, Conwy, Gwynedd and Powys in the Midlands also on alert. In Wales, warnings apply to Blaenau Gwent, Bridgend, Caerphilly, Cardiff, Carmarthenshire, Merthyr Tydfil, Neath Port Talbot, Powys, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Swansea and the Vale of Glamorgan.

Keep ReadingShow less
​Donald Trump and Melania Trump

Donald Trump and Melania Trump exit Air Force One after arriving at London Stansted Airport for a state visit on September 16, 2025 in Stansted, Essex.

Getty Images

UK rolls out royal welcome as Trump begins second state visit

Highlights:

  • Trump begins his second state visit to the UK with a royal welcome at Windsor Castle
  • Prince William, Catherine, King Charles and Queen Camilla take part in ceremony
  • State banquet and trade talks with prime minister Keir Starmer scheduled
  • Protests and security operation mark visit amid political challenges

US PRESIDENT Donald Trump began his unprecedented second state visit to Britain on Wednesday with a lavish welcome from King Charles and the royal family at Windsor Castle.

Keep ReadingShow less
11th UK Gatka Championship

All winners received medals and trophies

UK Parliament

11th UK Gatka Championship ends with Welsh debut and £1,000 support for Gatka Akharas

Highlights:

  • The 11th UK National Gatka Championship was hosted near Cardiff, marking the first time in Wales.
  • Winners included Roop Kaur (girls), Navjot Singh (boys), and Gurdeep Singh (men’s).
  • Gatka Federation UK awarded £1,000 to each participating Akhara to support martial arts promotion.
  • Chief guests included MP Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi and Harjeet Singh Grewal, President of the World Gatka Federation.

Gatka Championship marks Welsh debut

The 11th UK National Gatka Championship concluded on a high note near Cardiff, Wales, showcasing the traditional Sikh martial art with flair. Seven leading Gatka Akharas participated, thrilling spectators with their lightning-fast strikes, precision moves and elegant techniques.

Inauguration by global leaders

The tournament was inaugurated by Harjeet Singh Grewal, President of the World Gatka Federation (WGF) and the National Gatka Association of India (NGAI). He was joined by Tanmanjeet Singh Dhesi MP, President of Gatka Federation UK, alongside other dignitaries including Jagbir Singh Jagga Chakar, President of Wales Kabaddi Club, and community leaders from the Haveli Hotel Pontyclun.

Keep ReadingShow less
Vantara

The site, located in Gujarat, houses hundreds of elephants, as well as 50 bears, 160 tigers, 200 lions, 250 leopards, and 900 crocodiles. (Photo: Instagram/Vantara)

India court probe clears Ambani family’s animal centre

AN INDIAN Supreme Court-ordered investigation has cleared a large private animal facility run by the son of Asia’s richest man, rejecting allegations of wildlife violations.

Vantara, described as the “world’s biggest wild animal rescue centre,” is operated by Anant Ambani, son of Reliance Industries chairman Mukesh Ambani.

Keep ReadingShow less