Sunday, January 13, 2013

K.G. Subramanyan’s art and life

Attaining a subtle synthesis of linear Indian folk tradition and modernism, K.G. Subramanyan’s immaculate sense of design, especially his handling of pictorial space, exudes Indian ethos. His paintings address socio- political issues, and touch upon disparity inherent in public and private spheres. Unraveling the dichotomy, his work - often autobiographical and narrative, it tends to draw from self-introspection and ruminations.

Born in 1924 in North Malabar, Kerela, he first studied economics before joining Kala Bhavan, Santiniketan (1944-48). His love for art received a definitive direction there. It was a liberating and invigorating experience for the talented young artist who got an opportunity to hone his skills under the tutelage of masters like Binode Behari Mukherjee, Ramkinkar Baij and Nandalal Bose. He grasped three basic concepts as basis of art, namely individuality, nature, and tradition, which he steadfastly stuck to, even after being exposed to Western Modernism.

During his formative years, he was influenced by the nationalist movement, and was also imprisoned for taking part in the 1942 Quit India movement against the British rule. Later he went to Slade School of Art, University of London on British Council Research Fellowship (1955-56).

Apart from a series of solos over more than fifty years of a distinguished career, his work has also been featured in several group exhibitions, including 'Adbhutam', CIMA, Kolkata; 'The Art of Drawing', Guild Art, Mumbai; 'Pause', Sakshi Gallery, Mumbai; 'High-Light', courtesy Sakshi (all in 2011); 'Modern Folk', Aicon Gallery, New York (2010); and 'Tracing Time', Bodhi Art, Mumbai (2009), among others.

His select participations include 'Ethos V, Indigo Blue Art, Singapore; 'Roots in the Air, Branches Below', San Jose Museum of Art; 'Time Unfolded', KNMA, Delhi (all in 2011); ‘Modern India’, courtesy Institut Valencià d'Art Modern and Casa Asia (2008-09). He was awarded Padma Bhushan by the Government of India in 2006 and Padma Shri in 1975. A recipient of Lalit Kala Ratna Puraskar (2004), he also won the Fellowship of J. D. Rockefeller III Fund (1966) and Medallion of Honorable Mention, Sao Paulo Biennale, Brazil (1961), among other honors.

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