Usha Rani Hooja
Encyclopedia
Usha Rani Hooja is a noted sculptor from Rajasthan
state in India. Born in 1923 she studied sculpture at the Regent Street Polytechnic
in London
. She has published a collection of her poems "Song & Sculpture". She has held many exhibitions.
Usha Rani’s career as a sculptor was sparked by a chance encounter soon after her graduation with an MA in Philosophy from St. Stephen’s. She saw a sculpture class at the Delhi Polytechnic and was immediately seduced. An illness soon afterwards resulted in a long period of rest but this enforced hibernation allowed her to submerge herself in books on sculpture. After the theoretical absorption came the practical – years spent at the Regent Street Polytechnic
in London between 1949 and 1954. She frequented Jacob Epstein’s Saturday open house and was introduced to the Paris studio of Brancusi. She married Bhupendra Hooja in 1949. Back in India, the family arrived in Jaipur in 1959 where Usha Rani has devoted her long life to creating works, human and accessible even when in abstract or larger than life-size. Adventurous in the use of new techniques and materials, she has worked in bronze, iron, fibre-glass, concrete, stone, plaster of Paris and scrap metal with initial modeling done in clay, bridging the gap between classical Indian sculpture and modern trends. She was made a Fellow of Rajasthan Lalit Kala Akademi in 1990 and received a National Award from the FIE Foundation of Ichalkaranji
for Excellence in Sculpture in 1993. In many Indian cities, and in particular Jaipur, Usha Rani’s monumental public works have become familiar landmarks. Examples include the Police Memorial in Jaipur and the Garud (Eagle) in Kota.
Rajasthan
Rājasthān the land of Rajasthanis, , is the largest state of the Republic of India by area. It is located in the northwest of India. It encompasses most of the area of the large, inhospitable Great Indian Desert , which has an edge paralleling the Sutlej-Indus river valley along its border with...
state in India. Born in 1923 she studied sculpture at the Regent Street Polytechnic
University of Westminster
The University of Westminster is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom. Its origins go back to the foundation of the Royal Polytechnic Institution in 1838, and it was awarded university status in 1992.The university's headquarters and original campus are based on Regent...
in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. She has published a collection of her poems "Song & Sculpture". She has held many exhibitions.
Usha Rani’s career as a sculptor was sparked by a chance encounter soon after her graduation with an MA in Philosophy from St. Stephen’s. She saw a sculpture class at the Delhi Polytechnic and was immediately seduced. An illness soon afterwards resulted in a long period of rest but this enforced hibernation allowed her to submerge herself in books on sculpture. After the theoretical absorption came the practical – years spent at the Regent Street Polytechnic
University of Westminster
The University of Westminster is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom. Its origins go back to the foundation of the Royal Polytechnic Institution in 1838, and it was awarded university status in 1992.The university's headquarters and original campus are based on Regent...
in London between 1949 and 1954. She frequented Jacob Epstein’s Saturday open house and was introduced to the Paris studio of Brancusi. She married Bhupendra Hooja in 1949. Back in India, the family arrived in Jaipur in 1959 where Usha Rani has devoted her long life to creating works, human and accessible even when in abstract or larger than life-size. Adventurous in the use of new techniques and materials, she has worked in bronze, iron, fibre-glass, concrete, stone, plaster of Paris and scrap metal with initial modeling done in clay, bridging the gap between classical Indian sculpture and modern trends. She was made a Fellow of Rajasthan Lalit Kala Akademi in 1990 and received a National Award from the FIE Foundation of Ichalkaranji
Ichalkaranji
Ichalkaranji is located at . It has an average elevation of 538 metres .Ichalkaranji , lies in the Pancaganga valley about eighteen miles east of Kolhapur and half a mile north of the river. It is six miles southeast of Hatkanangale railway station...
for Excellence in Sculpture in 1993. In many Indian cities, and in particular Jaipur, Usha Rani’s monumental public works have become familiar landmarks. Examples include the Police Memorial in Jaipur and the Garud (Eagle) in Kota.
Awards
- Rajasthan Lalit Kala Akademi Fellowship. 1990;
- Rajasthan Shree Award 1982;
- Mewar Foundation Sajjan Singh Award 1985:
- Veteran artist AIFACS Award,1988.
- FIE Foundation for Excellence in Sculpture in 1993.IchalkaranjiIchalkaranjiIchalkaranji is located at . It has an average elevation of 538 metres .Ichalkaranji , lies in the Pancaganga valley about eighteen miles east of Kolhapur and half a mile north of the river. It is six miles southeast of Hatkanangale railway station...