Museum of Arts and Photography Celebrating the Centenary Year of Globally Acclaimed Artist Krishna Reddy

Art Exhibition Unveiled: Rhyme Unbroken — Krishna Reddy as Artist and Perpetual Student.
Bangalore 26 th August 2024 Devadas TP – Technology Industry Media Special Correspondent
In celebration of the centenary year of master printmaker, sculptor, and teacher Krishna Reddy, the art exhibition Rhyme Unbroken — Krishna Reddy as Artist and Perpetual Student delves into the life and influences that shaped his remarkable practice.
Reddy, one of the first Indian artists of his generation to gain international recognition, was honoured with both the Padma Shri and Kala Ratna awards for his contributions to the world of modern art and his technical innovations in intaglio printmaking.
This exhibition is co-curated by Kuzhali Jaganathan and Arnika Ahldag from the MAP team.
A Journey Rooted in Alternative Educational Ideologies
Born and raised in Andhra Pradesh in the 1920s, Krishna Reddy’s artistic journey began at Visva-Bharati University, Shantiniketan, founded by Rabindranath Tagore to promote holistic human and social development. Here, he was mentored by the greats of Indian Modern art like Nandalal Bose and Ramkinkar Baij. His early education at the Rishi Valley School and his interactions with renowned Indian philosopher and pioneer of alternative education, Jiddu Krishnamurti, further cemented his belief in education that went beyond academics. In post-World War II Paris, Krishna Reddy practised collaboratively with other artists of the era at Atelier 17, a revolutionary workshop studio that shaped the direction of modernism and the graphic arts. He was the only Indian to be appointed as the Co-Director of this avante-garde printmaking studio in 1964.
A Philosophy of Lifelong Learning
Krishna Reddy was a passionate advocate of the ideology that learning is a lifelong process and championed nurturing a childlike curiosity throughout life. As a teacher he spoke of artistic expression as a continuum of discovery and experimentation. He encouraged his students to reflect upon one’s role in the universe as being part of something larger. Reddy also recognised the growing disconnect between humans, nature, and spirituality. These ideas are prevalent in his works, which range across themes like nature studies, microscopic views and figurative bodies.
A Legacy of Innovation and Teaching
Reddy’s passion for learning was not only evident in his own artistic experiments, but also in his dedication to teaching. His use of lines and colours became a medium to explore the vastness of life, addressing its anxieties, excitement, and transient nature. Through forty of his artworks, Rhyme Unbroken explores Krishna Reddy as a student, and collaborative practitioner-turned teacher; whose students went on to teach others. The exhibition will be open to public till 5 th January 2025.
“The exhibition foregrounds how Krishna Reddy embodied Indian philosophical thought and how this influenced his approach to printmaking as well as his worldview. He transcended continents with ease, finding a home among friends and practitioners in studios and academia. Looking at his work, you can discern the impact of his conversations with artists in Europe and the US, as well as the influences of Nandalal Bose, Benodebehari Mukherjee, and Jiddu Krishnamurti.” — Arnika Ahldag, Co-Curator Said
Museum of Art & Photography, Bengaluru (MAP), located in heart of the Bangalore City is in a mission to harness the transformative potential of art, to enrich lives, ignite creativity, and connect people. Museum make art accessible and engaging for everyone through innovative experiences, meaningful dialogue and building communities. MAP is a home to a growing collection of paintings, sculptures, textiles, photographs and more, dating from the 10th century to the present day. The museum spans 6 storeys and includes art galleries, digital experience centres, a dedicated research and conservation lab as well as a shop, cafe, member’s lounge and rooftop alfresco restaurant. MAP is a melting pot of ideas, stories and cultural exchange where it hope to encourage humanity, empathy, and a deeper understanding of the world we live in, through art.