Yusuf Arakkal Indian, 1945-2016
“I have always tried to add an extra dimension to my canvases by giving my subjects or central characters a freedom to thrive, they cant be prisoned or in confinement. Some people say my techniques are about new trends – I disagree, I haven’t created any new trends; if we look carefully at Indian tradition our miniature painters of yore had done so in their time.”-Yusuf Arakkal
Yusuf Arakkal was a painter born into the royal family of Kerala in the year 1945. After the demise of his parents at a very young age, Yusuf left his home alone for Bangalore to pursue his passion for becoming an artist.
Yusuf Arakkal's art is thought-provoking, he explored the realm of human existence, and the feeling of an existential crisis became the key concern of the artist. He produced a large collection of miscellaneous works consisting of murals, paintings, sculptures, prints, drawings, and literary texts.
Arakkal dabbled in mixed media works with prominently working with acrylics and oil paints.
Yusuf Arakkal has displayed his works in more than 40 shows in India, and has displayed internationally at destinations such as London, France, New York, Honk Kong, and Singapore.
He has numerous accolades to his name, he recieved the Lalit Kala Akademi Award in 1979 and 1981, the Shiromani Kala Puruskar from the Government of India in 1983, and an award in the Third Asian Art Biennale, Dhakka, Bangladesh in 1986. Yusuf Arrakal received the prestigious Lorenzo de' Medici Gold Medal at the Florence International Biennale.
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Oasis of the Wandering Mind
A Group Show 1 - 30 Sep 2024Through their unique style and medium, each artist explores themes of introspection, imagination, and the fluidity of thought. The exhibition acts as a sanctuary for artistic exploration, depicting the mind's...Read more -
The Celebration of Solitary
1 - 30 Apr 2023A group show of the artworks of 9 different artists, all of whom are engaging, dwelling, and celebrating the self, in terms of expression, technique or a community they belong...Read more -
Kalasutra Hong Kong - 2017
29 Nov - 3 Dec 2017The exhibition featured a range of mediums, including painting, and mixed media pieces. Artists such as Manoj Dutta, M.F Husain, and Manu Parekh were among the notable participants. Kala Sutra...Read more