Austin Konchira Paintings

Austin Konchira Paintings

Austin Konchira

Join Austin for his Opening on Wednesday 18th March at 5 pm

“I was born in Trivandrum, a city in Kerala, South India. A former professor of History, I have 40 years of active involvement in the field of art. I have 2 Studios-one near Napier Museum, Trivandrum, and one in Pattambi, a small town in Palakkad district of Kerala”

Austin Konchira Painting - TAP Gallery

 

I have conducted 23 Solo Exhibitions in several important cities of India and 3 Solos in Holland. I have also participated in a number of important group shows.

In my days of student hood, I was a naturalist. As I matured as an artist, I was inspired by the surrealist movement. My surrealistic works from 1980 to 2000 were exhibited in major cities of South India like Bangalore, Hyderabad, Visakhapatnam etc. In 1996 I was invited to Holland to conduct an exhibition by Galerie Schoe (Lotus Galerie). In the subsequent years, I was able to do two more solos in Holland.

In the 2000s, my works moved towards abstraction and I partially discarded surrealism. The year 2018 was transformative for my art, as I began to get fascinated by the function and appearance of modern machines. I started to incorporate them into my paintings.

Machines are everywhere in the field of human activities and no one can exist without them. At present they serve as a motif for my art.

About my present works

I consider my art as a performance to heal my existence. It is a long journey to some unknown destination that one cannot reach till his life is spent. My journey had various turning points as a romantic painter, a surrealist, an abstractionist in search of new images, forms, colours and patterns. It is a journey through zigzags, flotations and oscillations, between the obvious and the subtle.

Motifs of machines fill my recent works. Machines and discarded mechanical objects began to appear in my paintings way back in the 80’s. But then, all of them were used as supportive elements to the main theme. Now, I am fascinated by their appearances and functions. Machines are manmade and have served as a productive force throughout Time. From their first appearance as stone and bronze implements and the wheel to today’s machines of iron and plastic and various metallurgical innovations, machines have become an indispensable part of human life. During the first and second world wars, they came as Aeroplanes, Patton Tanks, Motorcars, Ships, Boats…

In the modern age, the role of machines has changed radically. For every extension of human desire, there is a machine. Be it in Agriculture, Industry, Transport, Communications…in the sky, in water, in space, in the warfront…They often induce a sense of fear and awe within me. Their heaviness, strength, vitality and dexterity transport me to the world of imagination and fantasy. I see a moving locomotive, an approaching aircraft, a heavy earth mover, an armoured war vehicle, in front of me…Their appearance creates a feeling of proximity to an animal of gargantuan proportions like the Dinosaur, a disturbed Elephant or a swift moving Cheetah…Their perfection astonishes me. Their disturbing forms attract me at once. I am convinced that they limitlessly extend the possibilities of the human senses.

I like to paint machines. I pay my tribute to the thousands of known and unknown people who have devoted their lives for the evolution of modern machinery.


Solo Exhibitions
Kwazulu Natal Society of Arts, South Africa, Durban, 2025.
Amuseum Gallery of Modern Art, Thiruvananthapuram, 2023
Lalithakala Academy Gallery Trichur & camp; Calicut 2021

Kerala Lalithakala Akademi Gallery, Durbar Hall, Ernakulam (Cochin), 2020
Jehangir Art Gallery, Mumbai, 2018
Roerich Gallery, (Roerich Research Centre), Nagar, Manali, 2016
Shridharani Gallery (Triveni Kala Sangam), New Delhi, 2016
Alliance Francaise, Thiruvananthapuram, 2015
Triveni Gallery (Triveni Kala Sangam), New Delhi, 2014
Triveni Gallery (Triveni Kala Sangam), New Delhi, 2013
Academy of Fine Arts and Literature (Arpana caur’s Gallery), New Delhi, 2012
Birla Art Gallery, Calcutta, 2011
Shangri La Art Gallery, Thiruvananthapuram, 2010
Russian Culture Centre, Thiruvananthapuram, 2009
Kerala Lalithakala Akademi Gallery, Thiruvananthapuram, 2005
Nehru Centre Art Gallery, Mumbai, 2002
Chithranikethan Art Gallery, Thiruvananthapuram, 2000
Lalithakala Akademi Gallery, Calicut, 1999
Galerie Hendrik Bekkman, Marrum, Holland, 1997
Galerie De Artist, Holland, 1997
Galerie De Stalling, Holland, 1996
Alliance francaise, Hyderabad, 1994
Alliance francaise, Bangalore, 1993
Indo-French Culture Centre, Visakh, 1992
Alliance francaise, Thiruvananthapuram, 1991
Museum Auditorium, Thiruvananthapuram, 1985

Major Participations

Duality, 2019, Alliance Francaise, Thiruvananthapuram
Art Alliance, Raveendra Bhavan, New Delhi, 2014
Art Yatra by Kareesa Jewels, Mumbai, 2012
Group Show in Galerie De Compagnie, Holland, 2008
Sangamam, International Exhibition conducted by Chitraniketan Art Gallery, 2000
Group Show 1999 at www.artgallery.com (an exclusive digital space for Indian Contemporary Paintings)
Kerala Lalithakala Akademy Annual Exhibitions etc.


TAP Gallery: tapgallery.org.au
Youtube: TAP TV – @TapGallerySydney
Instagram: @tapgallery and #tapgallery
Email: info@tapgallery.org.au * Telephone: 0400610440 .
Level 1, 259 Riley St, Surry Hills NSW 2010

Austin Konchira Paintings

Inviting Women Artists to submit artwork for the INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY ART PRIZE. Presentations Sat 7th March 5pm. All welcome to attend.

GET INVOLVED WITH IWD 2026

Rock Chikz – The Songs Performed by Vee Malnar and Ann Brita Nilsson

GUEST SPEAKER
MICHELLE LEE

🥇First Australian woman to row ANY ocean solo, non-stop and unassisted in 2018, thanks to the Atlantic ocean row. 3,000miles, 68 days. 🥇Fastest woman in the world to row 1 million metres (1,000kms) on a concept 2 indoor rowing machine (same one she used to learn how to row). 🥇First woman in the world to row the Pacific Ocean Solo, non-stop and unassisted. 🥇First Australian woman to row the Atlantic Ocean solo, non-stop and unassisted. Her story is a symphony of courage, resilience and unwavering belief. A testament to the human spirit and the thrill of chasing horizons. Welcome to the one and only Michelle Lee.

 

Imagine a gender equal world. A world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination. A world that’s diverse, equitable, and inclusive. A world where difference is valued and celebrated. Together we can forge gender equality. Get ready for #IWD2026.
International Women’s Day (IWD) has been around for over a hundred years, as have many of the issues still impacting women’s advancement. Since 1911, IWD belongs to all who care about gender equality. Celebrate women’s achievement. Raise awareness about discrimination. Take action to forge gender parity. All IWD activity is valid, that’s what makes IWD so inclusive. Collaboration is key to advancing gender equality IWD is a global movement powered by collective effort. Looking to explore a potential collaboration? Get in touch.
International Women’s Day is powered by the collective efforts of all. Collective action and shared ownership for driving gender parity is what makes International Women’s Day impactful. Gloria Steinem, world-renowned feminist, journalist and activist reportedly once explained “The story of women’s struggle for equality belongs to no single feminist nor to any one organization but to the collective efforts of all who care about human rights.” So make International Women’s Day your day and do what you can to truly make a positive difference for women.
THERE WILL BE A JUDGES AWARD

Judged by 

Jennifer Rose John 
CEO, Co-Founder
FLYING KITE STUDIOS
A PEOPLES CHOICE AWARD

judged by the attending public

PRESENTED ON THE NIGHT

CALLING ALL LGBTIQA+ ARTISTS to enter the OUTLOUD Exhibition and ART PRIZE in conjunction with Mardi Gras 2026

Outloud Art Prize 2026

Calling all LGBTQ Artists

OUTLoUD

Art Prize

Presentations Sat 5pm 21st Feb 2026

Artists deliver works to TAP Gallery by Mon 16th Feb 12-6pm  entry fee $25 per artwork

People’s Choice prize – guest can vote for their favourite

$1,000 IN PRIZES 

Judged & presented by Prix Yves Hernot

Knight/Chevalier of the < a href ="https://www.legiondhonneur.fr/en/decorations/french-orders-and-decorations/national-order-merits"> French National Order of Mérite (Culture)

Outloud is a popular annual event during the Sydney Gay & Lesbian Mardi Gras Festival . The presentation night features special guests & live drag performances. The audience are invited to participate by voting for their favourite work on the night of the presentation. TAP Gallery has supported emerging artists, LGBTIQA+ events & community groups since 1989.

You Can Donate to this Exhibition via the Australian Cultural Fund where all donations are tax deductible by clicking on the link below:

https://artists.australianculturalfund.org.au/s/project/a2EMn00000bpoOr

Outloud Art Prize 2026


Outloud Art Prize 2026

Sydney Actors Playhouse - Anatomy of a Scene - TAP Gallery6

Anatomy of a Scene Tuesday 24th Feb 7pm

Anatomy of a Scene February 2026


Anatomy of a Scene February 2026

Anatomy of a Scene

A live showcase/workshop with Mike Booth & the Sydney Actors Playhouse Scene Class
Tuesday 24 February
7:00pm
Tap Gallery, Surry Hills
$15 tickets
Booking link: https://www.trybooking.com/DJPJF



Anatomy of a Scene February 2026

Anna Mary Wheeler - Anna Art Goat - TAP Gallery

ANNA MARY WHEELER – Art GOAT Paintings & Merch Wed 28 Jan – Sun 1st Feb. Drinks with the artist Saturday 31st Jan 5pm.

Anna Mary Wheeler – Art Goat

Anna Mary Wheeler - Art Goat - TAP Gallery

Anna Mary Wheeler

Anna Art Goat

An exhibition of paintings
Official function Saturday 31st January, 5pm
This current body of work emanates from the energy of painting in two studios. One in her Central Coast studio and the other is her most recent new art studio in Surry Hills. This bigger space has allowed for some larger paintings of bold, brightly coloured abstract/figurative paintings. Anna has been further experimenting with her drip painting world. She has delved into her unconscious in these works. Colour has played a major role once again in these new works. Fluoro paints play an esssntial role on her themed pallete. So take a ride into Anna’s world of colour and sensuality on the canvas! Anna says “I want these paintings to make you feel like you’ve never felt before. Let the colour touch your eyes and caress your senses. Feel positive and vibrant with this body of new paintings of energy and vitality…” Anna is in private collections all over the world.


TAP Gallery: tapgallery.org.au
Youtube: TAP TV – @TapGallerySydney
Instagram: @tapgallery and #tapgallery
Email: info@tapgallery.org.au * Telephone: 0400610440 .
Level 1, 259 Riley St, Surry Hills NSW 2010

Anna Mary Wheeler – Art Goat

 

ART DECORATIVE SCULPTS & OTHER ODDITIES by MARTIN WALSH. Drinks with the artist TUESDAY 20TH 6PM

Art Decorative Sculpts & Other Oddities – Martin Walsh

Art Decorative Sculpts - Martin Walsh - TAP GalleryMartin traveled the world in his earlier years spending much time in London where he was part of the Yellow House group & contributed to OZ Magazine & featured on the Front Cover. He was best mates with Martin Sharp, Robert Hughes, Brett Whiteley, Jim Anderson and other Australian artists of that era. He was trained in picture framing at the Rowley Gallery Kensington London. This institution still operates today. Martin did the overland trail from Sydney to London 5 times and hitch hiked for 10 years. He spent time in Spain, France, Turkey, Afghanistan, Bangkok, Katmandu, Iran and South America. In Australia Martin studied at the respected Julian Ashton’s Art Academy, Martin is a collage artist & an illustrator of books. He has had regular exhibitions at TAP Gallery and has also sold many works in London & internationally.

On display will be 70 small art decoratives and 30 mixed media artworks, laminated & framed in electrical tape.

MEET THE ARTIST: TUESDAY 20TH JAN 6PM

LIVE MUSIC BY RAOUL HAWKINS

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TAP Gallery: tapgallery.org.au
Youtube: TAP TV – @TapGallerySydney
Instagram: @tapgallery and #tapgallery
Email: info@tapgallery.org.au * Telephone: 0400610440 .
Level 1, 259 Riley St, Surry Hills NSW 2010

Art Decorative Sculpts & Other Oddities – Martin Walsh