M.R. Manohar is a self-taught artist. Over the years he has developed an original style and technique using mostly acrylic and oil paints on canvas. He also does oil pastel and pencil sketches, and some metal embossing on aluminum and copper sheets.

His art forms are an expression of his subconscious mind, and of life experiences which have had a deep emotional impact on him. He likes to experiment with colors and textures which have the emotional qualities of simplicity.

At 22 years of age, Manohar’s life changed suddenly when he unexpectedly came in contact with the mentally disabled and was drawn to share his life with them in an International residential therapeutic community for over 12 years. He underwent therapeutic training both in India and Europe, living and working with severely mentally ill and disabled persons.

He also developed new techniques and skills in using art as a therapy for people with mental illness in 1976-77. It has now been over 43 years since he has been in this profession. In 1988, he founded an Organization as an early intervention program for children with mental disabilities from economically challenged backgrounds.

Manohar continues to travel extensively to drought-prone villages of North and South Karnataka where he provides training and counseling services to NGOs, as a consultant and resource person, to support people with disabilities and mental illness and their families.

His art is an expression and a reflection of his relationship with marginalized people, and also of his personal journey through life.

"My journey through life has been accompanied and often illustrated by my passion for art in its different media. It is this that helps me to find who .I am 67 years old and I now believe my calling is to continue to paint and share my experiences, which I find deeply fulfilling, and at the same time continue my work with persons with mental illness and disabilities. My life purpose is both service and art and these two are deeply interlinked and I cannot imagine one without the other.

I hope and trust that you will enjoy these expressions from within. Over the years art has been the essence of my life”.

http://www.manomohan-art.com/
http://artmoney.org/users/mrmanohar
www.saatchiart.com/manohar

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