Born in Kerala, India. Lives and works in Mumbai and Kerala. Riyas Komu uses his work to directly comment on the identity crisis in his native India where rapid economic growth is occurring together with increasing religious problems. Coming from the southern state of Kerala, Komu knows from experience that religion and ideology are often at odds: in Kerala all religions and ideologies are equally represented and the government consists mainly of communists. His installation Undertakers comprises a neatly arranged row of wooden headstones, each decorated with the symbol of the various religions and the red star of communism. Though the piece suggests harmony, because of the conflict between the different religions, this is illusory. Komu comments that the piece ‘is a comment on the rising fundamentalism that causes cultures to become isolated from one another.”

He paints pictures based on photographic references from the print and television media. His subjects are charged with significance bringing about a disturbance depicting an element of political disquiet. For Riyas Komu, art is a medium for social comment on the situations the world is facing today.

Solo Exhibitions: 2006: Systematic Citizen, Palette Art Gallery, New Delhi.2006: Faith Accompli, Sakshi Gallery, Mumbai.2005: The Third Day, Lalit Kala Academy, Rabindra Bhavan, New Delhi presented by Sakshi Gallery, Mumbai.2005: Grass, photography show, The Guild Art Gallery, Mumbai. 2003: Sarasu, photography show on Raja Ravi Verma Press, The Guild Art Gallery, Mumbai. 2002:

Selected Group: Exhibitions 2007: Milan Museum show, curated by Daniella Polizolli. The Bombay Boys I with Willem Baars Projects at Art Amsterdam, Frame/ Grid/ Room/Cell, curated by Gayatri Sinha, Bodhi Art Gallery, Mumbai. Group show at the Swarovski Museum. Mumbai Metronomes, Mumbai. 52 International Art Exhibition, the Venice Biennale. ‘Other’ inaugural show AICON Gallery, London. 2006: ‘Bronze’, sculpture show, Rabindra Bhavan, New Delhi Art on the Beach, Made by Indians, St Tropez by Gallery Enrico Navarra, Paris On Difference #2 (represented Korea), Wurtt. Kunstverein Stuttgart, Germany.