Akkitham Narayanan

Akkitham Narayanan’s paintings are geometric configurations of abstract forms. With a predisposition towards the purity of geometry, he creates a fusion of Indian tantrik art and the European geometric art.

According to the artist, geometry comes from earth, a form of universal system, where everything appears simple and straight and therefore, rigid. But if we were to look at it in subjective manner, the perspective would change. Akkitham Narayanan’s creations are abstract in character, reflecting a deeper understanding of the nature and its varied colors and moods. The forms and colors that come repeatedly in his works remind the viewer of the chanting of a hymn, reverberating with the essence of life spirit.

The artist oversees the picture plane with a classification of space through lines, angles, squares, rectangles, and so on. There is a clever use of color within each space, which may be amorphous and smudged in some areas, or sharp in others. The blending of triangles and rectangles has a lyrical, emotive touch. Within these forms one can see thin lines suggestive of the forms of cloud and elements like fire and water. Also seen is the combination of archaic lines reminding one of letters and snakes. The artist has been inspired and influenced by traditional Kerala architecture. His colors come from the mural paintings that had inspired him during his childhood days. The color black that he uses on the canvases too reminds one of ancient Indian wall paintings and murals.

He creates the feeling of light by applying a thin coat of oil paint on the canvas and then erasing it. Using this technique to blend the colors, he creates an illusion of using watercolors and is able to retain the texture of the canvas. The color settles in the weave and lends the painting its texture. The technique thus lends a three-dimensional feel to the work. To break the monotony, he uses a knife to carve or draw lines and write out from the scriptures while the paint is still wet.

1967-70 Studied monumental art under Mr. Jean Bertholle and engraving under Mr. Lucien Couteau

1961 Diploma in Painting, Government College of Arts and Crafts, Chennai

SOLO EXHIBITIONS

2011 Gallery HUS, Paris

2011 'Through the Kaleidoscope', Art Alive, New Delhi

2010 "Art and Religion in the Indian world", House of Researches, Paris

2009 Indigo Blue Art Gallery, Singapore

2007 Galerie Le Normand, Paris

2006 Art Alive Gallery, New Delhi

KL Gallery, Kuala Lampur

2005 Galerie "Mille Lieux du Monde" Servoz, Chamonix, Paris

2005, 98, 94, 91, 88 Pundole Art Gallery, Mumbai

2003 Municipal Library, St. Pierre des Corps

2002 Galerie M & R Kolbein, Garbsen, Germany

2001 Espace Lino Ventura, Garges-les-Gonesse

2000 4th Festival of Art & Music, Cornservatoire Andre Navarra, Charenton-le-Pont

1995 Chateau de Talcy, France

1994 Kabutoya Gallery, Tokyo

1994 Mohanjeet Grewal Gallery, Paris

1991 The Townhall of Royat, Triennale de Chamaliéres, Royat, France

1991, 88, 84, 81, 78 Galerie Seibu, Tokyo

1990 Collegiale Saint-Pierre-le-Puellier, Orleans, France

1990 Chitrakoot Art Gallery, Kolkata

1988, 83, 80, 76, 74, 73 Galerie Steintor Verlag, Hannover

1988, 82 Galerie La Marge, Blois

1986, 74 Mukai Gallery, Tokyo

1978 Gallery Miyawaki, Kyoto, Japan

1976 Galerie du Haut Pave, Paris

Museum, Wilhelmshaven, Germany

1972 La Galerie, Paris

1971 Falazik Gallery, Neuenkirchen, Germany

1971 Ostentor Gallery, Dortmund, Germany

1970 Galerie Transposition, Paris

1966 Triveni Art Gallery, New Delhi

1965 Max Muller Bhavan, Chennai



GROUP EXHIBITIONS

2010 "Made in India", Galerie Lipao-Huang, Paris

"Besides Paris", Birla Academy of Arts & Culture, Kolkata

2009 "Think Small", Art Alive Gallery, New Delhi

2007 "Art in Itself", Akar Prakar Gallery, Kolkata

"Made in India: 07 Spring", Opera Gallery, London

"Masters of Contemporary Indian Art", Indigo Blue Art Gallery, Singapore

"Abstractions: Rupa-Aurupa", Museum Gallery, Mumbai & Visual Art Gallery, New Delhi

"Abstract Visions Parallel Perceptions", The Annex, Bangalore

2006 "Indian Artists", Gallery White Elephant, Paris

"Recueil d' Artistes", Maison Des Arts Louis Aragon: Garges-les-Gonesse, France

"A Collection of Indian Contemporary Art", KL Gallery, Kuala Lampur

2005 "Artransport", Double Enders, Mumbai, New Delhi, Bangalore, Cochin

2003 "Souvenir d'en France", Alliance Francaise, New Delhi

"Festival de I'Inde", L'Arc, Le Creusot. Galerie White Elephant, Paris

2001 "L'Inde, Carrefour Des Arts", F&H Art Forum, Paris

1997 "L'art a l'ecole", Paris

"Traits d'Union", Galerie du Haut Pave, Paris

1997-01 Salon de Mai, Paris

1996, 93 Harmony Show, Mumbai

1992 Roopankar Print Biennale, Bhopal

Contemporary Indian Art, Sogo Museum, Yokohama, Japan

Centenary Exhibition, Birla Academy, Kolkata

1990 International Methodology Show, Busan, Korea

1985 Retrospective of the Galerie du Haut Pave, Paris

1983 Grafik Biennale, Varna, Bulgaria

1975 Triennale of India

1974 Biennale of Menton

1970-72 International Painting Festival, Cagnes-Sur-Mer, France

1961 National Exhibition of Lalit Kala Academy, New Delhi

2009 K.C.S. Panicker Award, Kerala Lalit Kala Academy, Kerala

1972 Award, 4th International Festival of Painting, Cagnes-sur-Mer, France

1972 Award, All India Print Exhibition, New Delhi

1967-70 Received French Government Scholarship

1965 Award, Association of Young Painters and Sculptors, Chennai

1962-64 Received Indian Govt. Scholarship.

1963, 65, 66 Award, Lalit Kala Academy, Chennai