Risedale School proudly shines its alumni spotlight on Bishwadhan Rai, an extraordinary artist whose compelling work is currently gracing prestigious exhibitions at London’s Royal Academy – a truly amazing achievement! His art provokes thought on themes of memory, belonging, and British Asian identity.
Bish's artistic journey began right here at Risedale School, where he was a pupil from 2011 to 2015. It was within these very classrooms that his foundational talents were nurtured, notably under the guidance of our very own Head of Art, Ms Westwood.
Ms Westwood vividly remembers Bish's early promise and passion, and she continues to follow his artistic journey. "I'm incredibly proud of everything Bish has achieved. Even during his early years at Risedale, his creativity and dedication to his art stood out. To see him now exhibiting at the Royal Academy, exploring such profound themes through his sculptures, installations, and films, is truly remarkable. I love following Bish on social media; his work is a real source of inspiration, not only for our budding artists but also for our whole school community. Risedale pupils really can achieve amazing things at the highest level, and Bish is a shining example of this. It's a testament to his sheer hard work and unwavering passion."
After his time at Risedale, Bishwadhan followed his passion for art by studying for a Foundation Diploma at Darlington’s Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form College (2017-2018). He then went on to earn his BA in Fine Art from the Slade School of Fine Art, UCL (2018-2022), and is now graduating with a highly coveted Postgraduate Diploma from the Royal Academy Schools (2022-2025).
Bishwadhan's compelling body of work has already been showcased in numerous significant exhibitions, and he has won awards and been featured in noted art publications. Bishwadhan was born in Sunsari, Nepal, in 1999. His work is deeply personal and focuses on issues of immigration; his feelings of loss and the intricate confusion of adapting to a new home are central to his artistic practice. He meticulously delves into the complex relationships people can have with both their mother country and their settled country, exploring the continuous endeavour to forge a sense of belonging. Installations, sculpture and moving images are key mediums for Bishwadhan, driven by a profound desire to question and rectify popular modes of representation for British Asian communities in his art.
Bish's journey is a powerful testament to the transformative power of art education and unwavering personal dedication. His work offers a poignant examination of both personal and collective human experiences, solidifying his well-deserved place in the art world. We can’t wait to see what will happen next for him!
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PHOTO CREDIT: Bishwadhan Rai's personal social media and the RA Facebook page.