Avinash Kumar's "Illusionary Odyssey"

The South Asian conceptual artist Avinash Kumar’s mural "Illusionary Odyssey" spans the walls of the Hurlbut Gallery corridor. It uses the architectural pillars in the space to create a sense of environment. The elements in his artwork show the process of life from creation to destination as manifested by a bird of paradise searching for its ultimate home. Geometric forms within a three-dimensional space show the ups and downs of the journey and create the landscape for the entire composition.

Avinash Kumar, born in 1996 in Ranchi, India, is a visionary Indian artist, painter, and muralist whose work has left a lasting mark on the country’s artistic landscape. Known by his street name “AVI,” Avinash has become synonymous with the awe-inspiring murals he creates using his distinctive anamorphic style, a style that intentionally distorts images to provide an immersive, almost cinematic experience. His journey in the world of art began in his early years, fueled by a passion for redefining traditional perspectives through his realistic approach. Avinash’s artistic signature lies in his ability to seamlessly blend anamorphic elements into his paintings and murals, capturing the attention of onlookers with an element of surprise.

MAG has commissioned "Illusionary Odyssey" in collaboration with the Dogra Art Foundation. This is the fifth in a series of mural commissions for the Hurlbut Gallery that started in 2016. The subjects of these murals range from urban graffiti to collective women’s stories to humor and absurdity; all have been immersive visual experiences that respond to the unique corridor space.

Sponsored by the MAG Council, Dogra Art Foundation, and Sarah and Bob Hurlbut. Additional support is provided by Seema and Joe Rizzo.