Page 56 - AstaGuru Masters Legacy April 2024

A highly symbolic

Hebbar

painting

Born in Kattingeri, Karnataka in 1911, K.K. Hebbar grew up
watching his father sculpt Ganesha idols and took an interest
in art. Receiving some preliminary training in Mysore, he moved
to Bombay to join the Sir J.J. School of Art. In 1949, he joined
the Academie Julian in Paris like many of his contemporaries.
Here, he would be inspired by the Western Art surrounding
him. His works, however, reflected his inspirations in Indian
folk art. Rooted in Indian traditional art, his works would
explore Western styles of abstraction and surrealism. His works
would also delve into social issues that concerned Hebbar,
such as poverty, hunger and war. He was deeply fascinated
by various art forms such as Mughal miniature painting and
Kathak. Among the people influential in Hebbar’s oeuvre are
Amrita Sher-Gil for her command over the Western technique
and Srilankan philosopher Ananda Coomaraswamy whose
talks led Hebbar to explore traditional Indian art further.

His early works consisted of landscapes and figural compositions,
which would later inform the distinctive style of his entire
oeuvre. One of his most famous periods was the Kerala period
in his early years. During this time, he predominantly painted
the landscapes of the state inspired by several Impressionist
artists including Paul Gauguin. This would later influence the
development of Modern Indian Art and would solidify his position
as a leading modernist of the time. The period lasted for over
a decade and heavily featured the rich and vibrant seascapes
of Kerala. With his experimentation with landscapes over the
years, he would gain command over colour and movement.
His blend of Impressionism with abstraction and surrealism
created a distinct style that found widespread appreciation.

He was named a fellow of the Lalit Kala Akademi in 1976, and
was awarded the Padma Bhushan by the Government of India
in 1989. He also served as the chairman of the Artists’ Centre in
Mumbai from 1953 to 73.