Yusuf Arakkal | |
---|---|
Born | Yusuf Arakkal 1945 |
Died | 4 October 2016[1] Bangalore, Karnataka | (aged 70–71)
Nationality | Indian |
Occupation | Artist |
Spouse | Sara Arakkal [4] |
Children | Shibu Arakkal [4] |
Yusuf Arakkal (1945 – 2016) was an Indian artist. [5] [6] [7] [8]
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.
On 4 October 2016, Arakkal died in Bangalore due to a heart attack, at the age of 71. [13] [12]
In his career he exhibited extensively Internationally and in India. He has done many international shows. [14]
8. "Contemporary but pioneers". bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com. Retrieved 24 November 2021.
9. "Artists and their muses". bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com. Retrieved 24 November 2021.