Cricket’s Greatest Canvas by Paresh Maity at Taj Dubai

“Cricket is not just a sport. It is a celebration of life and unity,” says renowned Indian artist Paresh Maity. The artist captured his love for cricket through his brush strokes on a series of canvases, painted live at five pivotal matches from the 2023 ICC Men’s World Cup held in India. A selection of 12 artworks from this series are currently on display at Taj Dubai as part of Cricket’s Greatest Canvas Exhibition.

The artworks are presented in collaboration with Art be a Part (a platform that harnesses the power of art and philanthropy) and the International Cricket Council (ICC). The artist, who was present at the tournament venues spread across India with his paintbrushes immortalised the nail-biting drama unfolding on the field as players hit centuries, broke records, won matches and were bowled out at the last minute.

“Painting the World Cup was an unforgettable experience as I captured the energy, joy and emotion of the game. This exhibition is my tribute to the moments that brought people together and the unyielding spirit of cricket,”  says Maity, a celebrated artist conferred with Padma Shree, the Government of India’s fourth highest civilian award.

Born in Tamluk, near Kolkata in 1965, the artist is known for his mastery over diverse mediums including water colour, oil and acrylic painting, sculpture and photography. In over nearly four decades, he has held 88 solo exhibitions and made significant contributions to the global art scene. His art is part of several prestigious collections including at the Rashtrapati Bhawan (India’s Presidential Palace), National Gallery of Modern Art, New Delhi and the British Museum among others.