Yusuf Arakkal

Yusuf was a prominent Indian artist known for his evocative and often poignant depictions of life, particularly those of working-class and village people. Born in Chowghat in 1945, Kerala, he studied at the Chitra Kala Parishad College of Art in Bangalore and later furthered his education in printmaking at the National Academy Studios in New Delhi in 1980.

Arakkal’s artistic career spanned several decades, during which he held over 30 solo exhibitions in major Indian cities. His works were also showcased internationally in significant exhibitions, such as Contemporary Indian Art at the National Museum in Mexico (1985), Contemporary Asian Art at the National Museum of Modern Art in Seoul (1986), and Thirty Contemporary Indian Artists in Havana (1989). He participated in renowned Biennales, including those in Beaumont and São Paulo, and was awarded a special prize at the 3rd Asian Art Biennale in Dhaka.

Arakkal’s art is known for its series of related images, often portraying a wide range of human emotions, from sensuality to pain, and from dejection to quiet joy. His iconic works include sensual, icon-like ladies, sick figures in hospital beds or wheelchairs, playful urchins with kites and paper masks, and ironic portrayals of paper politicians and empty chairs that allude to human presence. His works often feature the depiction of people set against dilapidated walls and broken spaces, using textures and chiaroscuro to create a sense of depth and emotion. Arakkal’s figures are flattened yet plastic, emerging from or dissolving into their backgrounds, creating a sense of movement and evoking strong emotions.

Arakkal’s distinct style and his focus on the human condition, particularly the struggles of everyday life, have earned him recognition in both Indian and international art circles.