Desmond Lazaro

After completing his MA at the Prince's School of Traditional Arts, Desmond was apprenticed to Master Bannu Ved Pal Sharma, whose family have practised the craft of painting in the Pichhvais tradition in India for more than seven generations.

He completed his doctoral research, 'Methods, Materials and Symbolism in the Pichhvais Painting Tradition of Rajasthan', in 2005. His research reveals insights into how a traditional craft expresses the sacred and contributes to maintaining and renewing the venerable tradition of Pichhvais painting.

In 2006 Desmond founded The Traditional Arts Trust which supports families in Rajasthan who continue to produce new Pichhvais paintings in the traditional manner, despite overwhelming odds.

Desmond’s art work has been exhibited in in Dubai, Germany, Hong Kong, India and the UK. His most ambitious work to date can be seen in the new Mumbai airport. Befitting an artist whose work and personal history spans East and West this work, measuring 80’ x 50’, represents the gods and goddesses of South India, using traditional woodcarving and re-imagining the Tagore painting tradition.