PREETHA KANNAN (B-1959) Born in Chennai, finished in 1976-1979 B.F.A. from Stella Maris College University of Madras, 1979-1984 D.F.A College of Arts & Crafts University of Madras & 1984-1985 PG D.F.A. College of Arts & Crafts University of Madras, India. In 1982 won the Bombay Art Society Award, 1985-86 chosen by Lalit Kala Academy as the first painter to work in the newly inaugurated painting studio at Chennai, India & 1986 graduated Summa cum Laude, College of Arts & Crafts, University of Madras. Has participated in numerous shows: 1979 & 1981 Chennai Art Club Exhibition at Max Mueller Bhavan, Chennai; 1982 AIFACS Graphics exhibition, Kala Mela, Delhi, India, National Exhibition of Art at Lalit Kala Academy, New Delhi, & Bombay Art Society Exhibition at Jehangir Art Gallery Mumbai; 1982 & 1983 Tamil Nadu Nunkalai kuzhu, Chennai, 1983 Chitra Kala Parishad, Bangalore; 1984 Russian Cultural Centre Exhibition, Chennai; 1994 'Patron's Choice', Gallery in Philadelphia, USA; 1997 Station Gallery, Delaware, USA; 1999 Jehangir Art Gallery, Mumbai; 2000 Art Access Week, Birla Century Bhavan, Mumbai & Sumukha Gallery, Bangalore; 2001 Triveni Kala Sangam, New Delhi, Cymroza Gallery, Mumbai, Dhanapal Retrospective, Chennai, & 'Indiart' at Rossi & Rossi Gallery, London, UK; 2002 Harmony Show, Mumbai; 2005 - Miniprint Show, Cadaques, Barcelona, Spain. 2006 participated in " Hai Mumbai Meri Jaan" a group show of 21 young artists at Lalit Kala Academy & Art Konsult New Delhi. Participated in group show in 2008 "Joie de Vivre" fund raiser for SAVE The Children India and Mobile Creches, Looking Back & Pot Pourri at Gallery Beyond, Mumbai. In 2008 Group show "A Gathering" at Gallery Beyond Mumbai. In 2006 First Solo Show at Museum Art Gallery & Gallery Beyond, Mumbai, Solo show in 2007 at the India Habitat Centre, Visual Art Gallery, New Delhi. Participated in The Hotel Royal Meridien workshops in 2007 & 2008. Participated in the Art Expo 2009. Partcipated in group show "Pandora's Box" in 2009. Preetha's other achievements are: 1986-1992 - Social activist with BABA AMTE in Dewas, M.P; 1983-1986 - Secretary of women's organization Pennurimai Iyakkam, Chennai; 1981-1984 - Designed Tamil Women's journal for Chennai Slum women's organisation, Pennurimai Iyyakam; 1997 - Painting commissioned for At&T corporate office New Jersey, USA; 2001- Designed cover for international fisheries journal, Samudra; 2004 - Designed cover for an international journal; Subtle energies & energy medicine, USA & 2005-Digital mural commissioned by Glaxo Smith Kline, corporate office, Bangalore. She lives and works in Mumbai.