Sudarsan Pattnaik Showcases ‘Jugalbandi’ Series at Contemporary Venice 2026

Internationally acclaimed sand artist and Padma Shri awardee Sudarsan Pattnaik is representing India at Contemporary Venice 2026 , where he is presenting a distinctive series of mixed-media paintings that combine natural sand with colour on canvas. The international exhibition is being held at the historic Palazzo Albrizzi-Capello in Venice, bringing together contemporary artists from around the world. Pattnaik is the only Indian artist participating in the event this year.

At the exhibition, Pattnaik is showcasing his “Jugalbandi” series , a collection of artworks that blend natural sand with vibrant colours on canvas. The series reflects the artist’s evolving creative journey, linking his globally recognised sand sculpting practice with his renewed interest in painting. This marks the first time Pattnaik has presented these sand-and-colour paintings at an international exhibition of this scale .

Organised by the ITSLIQUID Group in collaboration with the ACIT Venice – Italian-German Cultural Association, the 18th edition of Contemporary Venice features nearly 80 artists from more than 30 countries , displaying a wide range of contemporary artworks across different mediums. The exhibition was officially inaugurated on Friday, with Pattnaik attending the opening ceremony and representing India among leading global artists.

Pattnaik’s “Jugalbandi” works explore themes such as nature, human emotions, environmental balance and harmony between humanity and the Earth . By incorporating natural sand into his paintings, the artist symbolically connects his art to nature, while also highlighting the need for environmental awareness and cultural harmony.

Describing the exhibition as a milestone in his artistic career, Pattnaik recalled that his dream of becoming a painter began during his childhood in the temple town of Puri, where he grew up creating art inspired by devotion to Lord Jagannath. He expressed gratitude for the appreciation his works have received from visitors and art enthusiasts in Venice.

During the opening of the exhibition, Pattnaik’s paintings drew attention from visitors, artists and critics. Curator Luca Curci and officials associated with the organisers praised his distinctive technique of blending natural sand with colour and highlighted the powerful environmental message conveyed through his creations.

Hailing from Puri in Odisha, Pattnaik is widely recognised for his large-scale sand sculptures created on the beaches along the Bay of Bengal. His works often address social and environmental themes and have earned him international recognition. The Government of India honoured him with the Padma Shri in 2014 for his contribution to art.

In recent years, Pattnaik has increasingly explored painting alongside sand sculpting. Over the past five years, he has exhibited his mixed-media sand paintings in major Indian cities including Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata and New Delhi, receiving encouraging responses from art lovers and critics.

The Contemporary Venice 2026 exhibition will continue until March 20 , offering visitors an opportunity to experience innovative contemporary art from across the world while highlighting India’s artistic presence through Pattnaik’s unique sand-and-colour creations.