Born in the village of Adhanga in Orissa in 1976, artist Gopal Samantray completed his B.F.A and M.F.A from the B.K College of Art, Odisha, in 2002 and 2004, respectively. Passionate about colour and the natural environment, his paintings are an illustration of the ill-effects of industrial development on the environment. Eliciting a thought-provoking dialogue with the viewer, his artworks also attempt to address alarming issues like global warming and deforestation. The artist, who spent his formative years in the forests of Odisha, was drawn to nature and wildlife all through his life, and this reflects in his art. Through his brilliant depictions of displaced animals, Samantray suggests humankind’s sheer apathy and indifference towards nature and other living beings.