BADRI NARAYAN
Akara Modern
1929 -2013
Born in Secunderabad, Andhra Pradesh, Badri Narayan’s career began in
the late 40s. His first public showing was in 1949, followed by his first solo
in 1954. His working style and medium of choice revolutionized from ceramic
tiles and mosaics to using ink, pastel, and watercolour. Narayan had also
worked with etchings and woodcuts. His paintings were often created on intimate
scales, revealing elements of fantasy and the artist's personal understanding
of beauty and aesthetics.
As a self-taught artist, Badri Narayan became an interpreter of medieval
and ancient Indian stories to the extent that even his written repertoire of
short stories, children’s books, and illustrated books closely followed the
themes of folklore and mythology. He was an introspective individual who
incorporated his self-reflection and autobiographical perspective into his
work. Narayan used imagery from his surroundings while drawing heavily from
Indian Mythology and metaphors. He particularly acknowledged the influence of
Indian Miniature traditions in his work.
Narayan’s art has been featured in over fifty national and international
shows, including Akara Modern, Mumbai; Pundole Art Gallery; Mumbai; Mon Art
Gallerie, Kolkata and Jehangir Art Gallery, Mumbai. His work is a part of
several permanent collections, such as the National Gallery of Modern Art and
the National Museum in New Delhi. He was awarded the Padma Shri in 1987 and the
Maharashtra Gaurav Puruskar in 1990.
Images
Exhibitions
Approaching Land curated by Girish Shahane January 20 - February 25 , 2017
Mysteries of the Organism curated by Girish Sahane February 26 - April 15 , 2016
Press
