<p>Renowned painter, sculptor and veteran of the contemporary art, Yusuf Arakkal passed away at his residence here on Tuesday.<br /><br /></p>.<p>The 71-year-old artist, a winner of multiple state, national and international awards, is survived by wife Sara Arakkal and son, Sibu Arakkal.<br /><br />An alumnus of the Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath, Arakkal was known for his unique creative expression that has been acknowledged worldwide. The most recent recognition was the prestigious Lorenzo De Medici Gold Medal at the Florence Internazionale Biennale. The Italian honour came for his work Bacon’s Man with the Child and Priest.<br /><br />Arakkal’s huge collection of paintings, sculptures, murals, prints and sketches, created with a deep sense of social consciousness, had also won him a national award in 1983, the Karnataka Lalithakala Academy award in 1979 and 1981. <br /><br />The artist had returned to the basic pen and ink format for his last show, Faces of Creativity, a series of 135 portraits of the big names of contemporary art. The sketches stood out for the delicate renderings on a surface hitherto unexplored: Reversed canvas.<br /><br />Having lost his parents at the age of six, Yusuf ran away from his native Kerala to Bengaluru at the age of 17. He landed a job at the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) but art was his calling. Years of struggle chiselled his art, eventually winning him Kerala’s highest honour in the art world, the Raja Ravi Varma Puraskaram in 2013. This was the recognition he cherished the most.<br /><br />“In Arakkal’s death, the art community has lost an inspiring figure,” said noted artist S G Vasudev. “Arakkal had established himself as a figurative artist of repute with fine technique and expression. He had a sharp mind and inspired a lot of young artists,” he said.<br /><br />That generosity to share his experiences and time with youngsters impressed art critic Giridhar Khasnis. The Sara Arakkal Gallery that he set up in his wife’s name was part of Arakkal’s efforts to help upcoming artists. “Arakkal had his phase of inspired creativity, coming out with memorable works during his prime years. He was consistent in his works,” said Khasnis. <br /><br />Condoling his death, the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Bengaluru, referred to the social relevance of his art. “Arakkal, through his art, depicted the everyday life of the dispossessed in urban areas — their poverty, helplessness, dismal living conditions and their stoicism in the face of tragedy,” a Bhavan statement said.<br /><br />Arakkal’s mural, The Flight at the arrival terminal of Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) and an art installation near Anil Kumble Circle, M G Road, are indicative of the heterogeneity of his works.<br />DH News Service</p>
<p>Renowned painter, sculptor and veteran of the contemporary art, Yusuf Arakkal passed away at his residence here on Tuesday.<br /><br /></p>.<p>The 71-year-old artist, a winner of multiple state, national and international awards, is survived by wife Sara Arakkal and son, Sibu Arakkal.<br /><br />An alumnus of the Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath, Arakkal was known for his unique creative expression that has been acknowledged worldwide. The most recent recognition was the prestigious Lorenzo De Medici Gold Medal at the Florence Internazionale Biennale. The Italian honour came for his work Bacon’s Man with the Child and Priest.<br /><br />Arakkal’s huge collection of paintings, sculptures, murals, prints and sketches, created with a deep sense of social consciousness, had also won him a national award in 1983, the Karnataka Lalithakala Academy award in 1979 and 1981. <br /><br />The artist had returned to the basic pen and ink format for his last show, Faces of Creativity, a series of 135 portraits of the big names of contemporary art. The sketches stood out for the delicate renderings on a surface hitherto unexplored: Reversed canvas.<br /><br />Having lost his parents at the age of six, Yusuf ran away from his native Kerala to Bengaluru at the age of 17. He landed a job at the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) but art was his calling. Years of struggle chiselled his art, eventually winning him Kerala’s highest honour in the art world, the Raja Ravi Varma Puraskaram in 2013. This was the recognition he cherished the most.<br /><br />“In Arakkal’s death, the art community has lost an inspiring figure,” said noted artist S G Vasudev. “Arakkal had established himself as a figurative artist of repute with fine technique and expression. He had a sharp mind and inspired a lot of young artists,” he said.<br /><br />That generosity to share his experiences and time with youngsters impressed art critic Giridhar Khasnis. The Sara Arakkal Gallery that he set up in his wife’s name was part of Arakkal’s efforts to help upcoming artists. “Arakkal had his phase of inspired creativity, coming out with memorable works during his prime years. He was consistent in his works,” said Khasnis. <br /><br />Condoling his death, the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, Bengaluru, referred to the social relevance of his art. “Arakkal, through his art, depicted the everyday life of the dispossessed in urban areas — their poverty, helplessness, dismal living conditions and their stoicism in the face of tragedy,” a Bhavan statement said.<br /><br />Arakkal’s mural, The Flight at the arrival terminal of Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) and an art installation near Anil Kumble Circle, M G Road, are indicative of the heterogeneity of his works.<br />DH News Service</p>
