About KG Subramanyan
Kalpathi Ganpathi Subramanyan (KG Subramanyan) was born in a village in North Kerala, in 1924. He pursued Economic Studies at the Presidency College, Chennai. However, owing to his active involvement in the freedom struggle and his Gandhian ideologies, he was restricted from entering in government colleges during the British Raj. Subramanyan turned this into an opportunity to explore his interest in art. In 1944, he visited Santiniketan to study at Kala Bhavan, the art faculty of Visva Bharti University. Here Subramanyan studied art till 1948, under the tutelage of prominent Indian modernists such as Nandalal Bose, Benode Behari Mukherjee, and Ramkinkar Baaji.
Other than being a prolific artist, KG Subramanyan was also a writer, a teacher, an art historian, and a scholar. His artistic career began in the 1950s. Throughout his career, Subramanian worked with several mediums including oils and watercolors. He also created drawings, sculptures, and murals and engaged in set design, toy making, pottery, weaving, and glass painting. His involvement with his art steered Indian modern art into a new direction.
Later in 1951, he started teaching at the Faculty of Fine Arts, M. S. University, Baroda and briefly studied at Slade School of Art in 1956 as a British Council Scholar. His teachings saw the rise of prominent artists like Bhupen Khakhar, Jyoti Bhatt, Mrinalini Mukherjee, Gulammohammed Sheikh, and K.S. Radhakrishnan. In 1966, Subramanyan also received a J D Rockefeller III Fund Fellowship that facilitated him with a year-long stay in New York. During this time, Subramanyan dived deeper to explore his interest in semi-abstract artworks.
He was also awarded the prestigious Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, Padma Vibhushan Puraskar, and the Lalit Kala Akademi Fellowship, the highest honor in fine arts conferred by the Government of India.
About KG Subramanyan artistic journey
KG Subramanyan, a versatile and pioneering figure in Indian art, embarked on an artistic journey that spanned several decades, deeply influencing the landscape of contemporary Indian art. Subramanyan's early exposure to Gandhian principles and his involvement in the freedom struggle shaped his socio-political consciousness, which later became evident in his art.
Subramanyan’s artworks are a beautiful combination of European Modernism and Indian folk expressions. Folk traditions from his home state; Kerala and overall India, had a huge influence on Subramanyan’s artworks. He was also inspired by the traditional Bengali art; Kalighat painting and Pattachitra. He often fused myths and stories from ancient Indian history with contemporary art that were inspired by Picasso’s cubism, Tanjore paintings, African masks, etc. among many other traditional art and modern art forms from the world.
His career spans over 7 decades, during which he participated in numerous group and solo shows in India and internationally. His works were showcased at the Vadehra Art Gallery, New Delhi, Centre for International Modern Art (CIMA), Kolkata, and Jehangir Art Gallery, Mumbai, among many other prestigious galleries. In 2003, the National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA), New Delhi, and Mumbai organized KG Subramanyan’s Retrospect.
Among his famous works, the 'War of the Relics’ series and 'Tales from the Mahabharata' stand out, showcasing his unique narrative style and intricate craftsmanship. These KG Subramanyan artworks not only reflect his deep understanding of Indian culture and mythology but also comment on contemporary societal issues.
Exclusive Collections and Best Paintings
Subramanyan's oeuvre is vast, encompassing a range of styles and mediums. His master drawings, often characterized by intricate detailing and playful use of space, are particularly celebrated. His collections not only showcase his mastery of the brush but also his profound understanding of Indian folklore and storytelling.
The exclusive collections of KG Subramanyan showcase a versatile range of master drawings, highlighting his prowess in the Indian art scene. Renowned for blending traditional themes with a modernist twist, his paintings often feature mythological narratives, folk tales, and social commentaries. Subramanyan's skill in using bold colors and intricate textures makes each piece a testament to his creative genius and deep understanding of Indian cultural motifs and contemporary societal issues.
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