Riyas Komu

Motivated by political activism, Riyas Komu's intent in art is to expose socio-economic ambiguities that persist in Indian society and elsewhere. Komu's works represent strength, boldness, and voice for social justice as in his own words, "Social action has power."

Gifted with expertise in multiple mediums and styles, he has produced artworks encompassing oil on canvas, acrylic and oil on canvas, archival print on brushed silver metal laminate, mixed media on linen pasted on canvas, photography, digital print, and bronze sculpture. 

Appreciating Riyas Komu's artwork often requires deep understanding of contextual background. For example, he has installed statues of Indian thinker and politician B. R. Ambedker, who is often regarded as the father of Indian constitution, in Nirox Cultural Park in South Africa. The multiple statues of Ambedker in varying heights in that work are suggestive of division and hierarchy in the society, which has hindered both countries progress. The artwork tries to relate India and South Africa and their struggle for independence and social justice as well as common societal goals of both people.