KRISHNA REDDY: AN ARTIST EXPLORING THE MANY FACES OF NATURE THROUGH THE MEDIUM OF INDIFFERENCE

Abstract [English]

The article presents adiverse aspects of print making in India particularly highlighting and making critical assessment on various works of Krishna Reddy. The paper attempts to decipher the experimental works that the artist had created during his lifetime. A brief historical account beginning from his first poster rebellion for quit India movement, his time at Shantiniketan and major influences on his life particularly in his work at Hatelier, shall be discussed by analysing his life and works. Secondly, select pieces of some of his famous artworks are discussed with the author’s critical perspective. Focusing on subject matter, medium and form of the pieces; Reddy’s brilliance and finesse is brought to light. The vibrance in his works, dynamics of colours existing in 2D frames as a form of living art and the stories that emerge to both an experienced observer or not is discussed at length. Revealing the inner connections of motherhood, happiness, trauma, and mundanity evoked by his prints is reflected upon with care and dedication. Discussions are also put forth on the thematic connection between his arts using the deductions arrived from the lens of subject matter, form and medium of encoding information. The decoded material are layed out within the context of feelings, visuals and narrative elements. In conclusion, his legacy and influence on artists and aestheticians, resonating endlessly with time is discussed. His exuberance expressed as arts exceeds far beyond many forms of artistic expression, where his creativity is an outgrowth of his meticulous combination of engineering paints and his precise balance of viscosity.