Born in March 1934 at Bhavnagar in Gujarat. He has completed his studies in painting and printmaking at Faculty of Fine Arts, Baroda. Jyotibhai, as Jyoti Bhatt is fondly called, is one of the founder members of the Center of Photography, Baroda. Before he turned to photography, however, He began his artistic career as a painter and a printmaker in the 1950s. He worked as a painter from 1954 to 1969. He says, "I was never interested in studies. You may say that since I was not good for anything else in life, I became an artist.” Jyoti Bhatt has photographed everything, from intricately carved doors to floors, pots, pans, walls, houses that is part of our folk art in rural India.
Education
1985 Learnt basics of Holography, UK.
1964-66 Learnt Printmaking, Pratt Institute and Pratt Graphic Art Center, New York under Fulbright & John D Rockfeller II Grants specializing in Graphics.
1961-62 Academia Di Belle Arti, Naples, Italy under Italian Government Scholarship.
1953 Learnt Mural and Fresco Painting, Vanasthali Vidyapith, Rajasthan.
1950-56 Studied Painting and Printmaking, Faculty of Fine Arts, Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda.
Selected Solo Exhibitions
2007 'Parallels That Meet: Paintings, Prints, Photographs', Delhi Art Gallery, New Delhi
2005 'Graphic Prints: An Overview Jyoti Bhatt', Anant Art Gallery, New Delhi
2004 'Printed Image: An Overview Retrospective', Exhibition of Graphic Prints, ABS Bayer Gallery,
Vadodara.
2001 'In Conversation: Painting and Sketchbook', Gallery Espace, New Delhi.
1999 Centre for Photography, National Center for Policy Analysis and The Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA), New Delhi.
1998 'Printed Image: An Overview Retrospective Exhibition of Graphic Prints 1961-98', Cymroza Art Gallery, Mumbai.
1998 'Multimedia: Art of The 90's', Centre for International Modern Art (CIMA), Kolkata.
1993-97 Exhibition of Photographs at National Centre for Performing Arts (NCPA), Mumbai; Bharat Bhavan, Bhopal and Art Heritage, New Delhi.
1984-95 Photographic Exhibition at New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Ahemdabad, Bhopal, Baroda and Germany.
1966-71 Solo Shows of Prints and Paintings, Mumbai, Ahemdabad and New Delhi.
1964-66 3 Solo Shows of Prints and Paintings, USA.
1963 Exhibition of Paintings, Mumbai.
Selected Group Exhibitions
2010 'Yeh Image Mahaan: India Meets Bharat', Centre of International Modern Art (CIMA), Kolkata.
2010 'The Living Insignia', Gallery Ensign, New Delhi.
2010 'Symbols and Metaphors', Centre of International Modern Art (CIMA), Kolkata.
2008 'Baroda: A Tale of Two Cities', (Part I), Sarjan Art Gallery, Vadodara.
2006 'Super Six Photographic Exhibition', organized by Jindal Photo Limited, Travelled All Over India.
1999 'Icons and Symbols', Centre for International Modern Art (CIMA), Kolkata.
1969 'Painters With Camera', Mumbai.
1969 'Through Indian Eyes', Indian Photographers Show, Holland.
1963 Group 1890 Show, New Delhi.
Honors and Awards
2019 Padma Shri by the Government of India.
2005 Lifetime Achievement Award - Distinguished Photo Artist, Academy of Visual Media, New Delhi.
2004 Awarded Hon. Doctorate, Rabindra Bharati University, Kolkata.
2001 'Kalashri', All India Fine Arts and Crafts Society (AIFACS), New Delhi.
2000 Received Gujarat State Award, Gujarat.
2000 Senior Artist Award, All India Fine Arts and Crafts Society (AIFACS), New Delhi.
1998 Gujarat State Kala Academy Award, Gujarat.
1996 Senior Fellowship, Ministry of Culture, Government of India.
1996 Gaurav Puraskar, Gujarat State Lalit Kala Academy, Gujarat.
1996 Gujarat State Special Award.
1989 Grand-Prix, 13th Annual Photo Contest for Asia and Pacific, UNESCO, Japan.
1978 Top Prize, World Photo Contest, Fotokina, Germany.
1972-73 1st Prize for Design of Postal Stamp for 25th Anniversary of Independence.
1967 First Prize for Graphic Print, State Lalit Kala Academy, Gujarat.
1967 Gold Medal, International Print Biennale, Florence, Italy.
1967 First Prize for Graphic Prints, State Lalit Kala Academy Exhibition, Gujarat.
1967 Silver Medal, Bombay Art Society, Mumbai.
1967 Bronze Medal, Nikon World Photo Contest, Japan.
1964-66 Fulbright Scholarship and J.D.R. IIIrd Award for Printmaking at Pratt Institute, USA.
1963-64 National Award, Lalit Kala Akademi, New Delhi.
1963-64 Annual Show, Bombay Art Society, Mumbai.
1961-62 Government of Italy Scholarship to Study Printing and Etching, Naples.
1957,58,59 Government of India Scholarship under Prof. Bendre.
1956 President's Gold Plaque, National Exhibition of Art, New Delhi.
1956 Received Cultural Scholarship, Ministry of Culture and Education, Government of India
Jyoti Bhatt lives and works in Baroda.
