Yusuf Arakkal (1945 – 2016) was an Indian artist.[5][6][7][8]

Yusuf Arakkal
Born
Yusuf Arakkal

1945
Died4 October 2016(2016-10-04) (aged 70–71)[1]
Bangalore, Karnataka
NationalityIndian
OccupationArtist
SpouseSara Arakkal [4]
ChildrenShibu Arakkal [4]

Life

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Arakkal was born in Chavakkad, Kerala. Both his parents died when he was young. Leaving the comforts of his house behind, he left for Bangalore, lonely but with a passion to become a painter. The hardships that he faced at Bangalore honed the artist in him and sharpened his sensibility. He took a diploma in painting from Karnataka Chitrakala Parishat (KCP), Bangalore and later specialized in graphic print making from National Academy community studios, Garhi, Delhi.[9]

Arakkal received the prestigious Lorenzo De Medici Gold Medal, at Florence Internazionale Biennale, in Florence, Italy for his work Bacon’s Man with the Child and Priest. The artist produced a large collection of miscellaneous works consisting of drawings, paintings, sculptures, murals, paper works, prints and writing.[10][11]

He won several other awards including Karnataka Lalithkala Academy award in 1979 and 1981, a national award in 1983, a special award at the third Asian Art Biennale Dhaka, Bangladesh in 1986 and the Karnataka Lalithkala Academy honor in 1989.[12]

Arakkal's paintings are singularly expressionistic in style. In them one could trace the artist's deep concern for man and society. Set against a dark, oppressive background are the faceless figures of ordinary people expressing brooding loneliness and despair brought on by a society obsessively drawn towards material success where ordinary people have no place.

Death

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On 4 October 2016, Arakkal died in Bangalore due to a heart attack, at the age of 71.[13][12]

Exhibitions

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In his career he exhibited extensively Internationally and in India. He has done many international shows.[14]

Solo international shows

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  • 1992 - Relays De Monts - Siux, Limousin, France.
  • 1993 - Gallerie Taormina Del Arte - Le Havre, France.
  • 1994 - Srijana Contemporary Art Gallery - Kathmandu, Nepal.
  • 1994 - Art Forum Gallery, Singapore.
  • 1996 - Wallace Gallery, Chelsea, New York.
  • 1996 - Air Gallery, Dower Street, London.

Group International shows

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  • 1971 - Indian Artists at Belarus and Moscow.
  • 1985 - Thirty contemporary Indian Artists at Habana, Cuba.
  • 1985 - Contemporary Indian Art show at the National Museum Mexico City, Mexico.
  • 1985 - Second Asian Art show, Fukuoka, Japan.
  • 1985 - Indian Printmaking, Festival of India, USA.
  • 1986 - Sixth biennale de beau Art, Beaumont, France.
  • 1986 - Third Asian Art Biennale, Dhaka, Bangladesh.
  • 1986 - Inaugural exhibition of the National Museum of Modern Art, Seoul, South Korea.
  • 1986 - Sixth International Triennale, New Delhi, India.
  • 1987 - Ninth International Biennale de São Paulo, Brazil.
  • 1993 - Nine Indian Artists CCA Gallery, New York.
  • 1994 - Indian printmaking show, Maltwood Art Museum & Gallery Victoria, British Columbia.
  • 1994 - Indian Contemporary Art Show, Gallery Maya, Hong Kong
  • 1995 - Heads and faces - an exhibition by Gallery Maya, Visual Art Centre, Hong Kong.
  • 1995 - 'Save the children' auction by Sothebys, Bombay.
  • 1996 - Indian Contemporary Art show, Nagai Garo, Tokyo, Japan
  • 1996 - 32 Contemporary Indian artists - exhibition and auction by Christies, London.
  • 1996 - Women in Indian Art, by The Gallery, Visual Art Centre, Hong Kong.
  • 1997 - Auction of Indian Contemporary Art by Christies, London.

References

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  1. ^ a b "Artist Yusuf Arakkal passes away at 71". Hindustan Times. 4 October 2016. Retrieved 31 January 2019.
  2. ^ "yarakkal.com". yarakkal.com. Retrieved 24 November 2021.
  3. ^ "Noted Kerala artist Yusuf Arakkal dies at 71". indianexpress.com. 4 October 2016. Retrieved 24 November 2021.
  4. ^ a b "Yusuf Arakkal: Yusuf Arakkal, renowned artist, passes away at 71 | Bengaluru News". Times of India. 5 October 2016. Retrieved 24 November 2021.
  5. ^ Dhanaraj, Ruth (4 November 2022). "The definitive Yusuf Arakkal collection goes on display in Bengaluru". The Hindu.
  6. ^ Dhanaraj, Ruth (10 January 2023). "Yusuf Arakkal's Christ series on display for the first time in Bengaluru". The Hindu.
  7. ^ "Portrait of a humanist". Deccan Herald. 23 October 2022.
  8. ^ "A burst of creative energy". Deccan Herald. 8 January 2023.
  9. ^ Ramdev, Darshana (5 October 2016). "Yusuf Arakkal: Every creative act is Godly". Deccan Chronicle.
  10. ^ "How artist Yusuf Arakkal, who passed away on 4 October, shaped the art scene in Bengaluru". Firstpost. 4 October 2016.
  11. ^ "A Miracle In Trouble". Outlooki India.
  12. ^ a b "Noted Kerala artist Yusuf Arakkal dies at 71". The Indian Express. 4 October 2016.
  13. ^ "Canvassing for the tiger - The Hindu". The Hindu. 6 May 2011.
  14. ^ Artist Profile: Yusuf Arakkal Archived 21 February 2006 at the Wayback Machine, Online Bangalore. Retrieved 26 October 2007.

8."Contemporary but pioneers". bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com. Retrieved 24 November 2021.

9."Artists and their muses". bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com. Retrieved 24 November 2021.

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