Handprints, a retrospective of artist Gulam Mohammed Sheikh, is on in Bengaluru

Bengaluru hosts retrospective of artist Gulam Mohammed Sheikh

One hears of scientists, musicians and other innovative beings who are oblivious to the enormity of their work — simply because they have been busy creating for the pure joy of it.

Something similar can be said of Gujarat-based artist Gulam Mohammed Sheikh. At 87, the artist who still paints, is not only known for his art, but also his works of prose. Yet, not many are aware of his fascination for prints.

Handprints, the first of a two-part retrospective features as many as 60 prints, selected from works dating back to 1965 when Gulam was still a student, to the present day. “There is a huge body of work spanning seven decades and none of us knew about its entirety, since he is primarily known as an artist and art critic. I’ve been his student and have known him since 1977, but apart from the occassional prints hanging in his house or seen at shows, the bulk of these have not been exhibited,” says artist Pushpamala N, who curated the show.

Pushpamala says a chance conversation about holding a show of Gulam’s paintings in Bengaluru, led to the revelation that he had never exhibited his prints in a solo show.

Printmaking is the process of creating artworks by printing, not only on paper, but also on fabric, wood, metal, and other surfaces. Some traditional printmaking techniques are woodcut, linocut, etching, aquatint and lithography, while modern-day methods include screen and digital printing.

“Since prints are created in multiples using different techniques, there were so many of them that we had to exhibit them in two parts. Part one titled Handprints are those pieces executed using the traditional approach,” she says.

“I’ve contextualised his works for this show since he is not only a celebrated artist, but also a poet and writer, an art historian and influential teacher; all these facets come out in these works.”