Prokash Karmakar

Prakash Karmarkar came from an artistic family his father was a renowned artist of his time. Unfortunately, all of his fathers paintings were destroyed in the Hindu Muslim riots in the 1940s, which also ruined his family. By 1949, both his parents had passed away, forcing him to abandon his studies at the Government College of Arts and Crafts, Kolkata. He joined the army for two years and then quit to work as a graphic design manager for a medical firm in Kolkata. Virtually penniless and desperate for a break, in 1956, he held a street exhibition, the first in the city, hanging his works along a corner.

In 1957, Karmarkar participated in the national art exhibition held in New Delhi. Here, he received an award for his watercolor. By then, he had also begun holding more street exhibitions, which catapulted him into the limelight. The artist was a close friend of several poets. He would often sit with poet Shakti Chattopadhyay and while the latter wrote his poem, Karmakar would make his painting. Then, they would sell both their works together on street corners. Karmarkar also worked in artist Nirode Mazumdars studio between 1964 and 67.

The artist went on to form a group called the Society of Contemporary Artists in 1962, but within five years of its inception, the group began to disintegrate. By then Karmarkar had received a French Fellowship and he left to study in Paris. As an artist, he is considered a revolutionary in the sense that he doesnt exhibit in art galleries. All through his artistic career he has always exhibited on street corners. He says, I do not want my paintings to be imprisoned within four walls.

Influenced by the works of Picasso and the classic impressionists, Karmarkars work reflects the degenerating society and the confusion that prevails in India today.

Prakash Karmarkar lived and worked from Kolkata. He passed away on 25th February, 2014.

BORN

October 20, 1933 Kolkata

DIED

February 25, 2014 Kolkata

EDUCATION QUALIFICATIONS

1953 Government College of Art and Craft, Kolkata

SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS 

2008 Hues of Bengal, Gallert G and Janus Art Gallery

2008 Art from Bengal, Art Elements Gallery, New Delhi

2007 Signature Images, Gallery Kolkata, Kolkata

2007 Uninterrupted Journeys, Nitanjali Art Gallery, New Delhi

2007 Tales of Textures, Art Elements Gallery, New Delhi

2006 Drawing Show an Act of Art II, Priyasri Art Gallery, Mumbai

2006 Frames and Beyond, Nehru Centre, Mumbai

2006 Spectra, Gallerie Zen, Bangalore

PARTICIPATIONS 

2011 Ethos V Indian Art Through the Lens of History (1900 to 1980), Indigo Blue Art, Singapore

2011 Manifestations VI, Delhi Art Gallery, New Delhi

2011 Manifestations V, Delhi Art Gallery, New Delhi

2008 The ArteCurate Mumbai Art Festival

1968, 65, 57 National Art Exhibition, Lalit Kala Akademi, New Delhi

HONORS AND AWARD 

2000 Abinendra Puraskar Award

1976 Biria Academy of Art and Culture, Kolkata

1970 Rabindra Bharati University, Kolkata

1969-70 Fellowship for Study in France

1968, 65, 57 National Art Exhibition, Lalit Kala Akademi, New Delhi