Jahfar Klari

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My childhood growing up in Mukkam orphanage, the years I spent as a photographer in the Middle East, and my interest in Indian mythology inspire my art. I work with oil paint, acrylic, pastels, pencil, and ink on a variety of materials including canvas, paper, cloth, velvet, and cardboard. The spice trade and trade routes between Arabia, the west, and my south Indian village has molded my world as I know it. This rich history, traditions, and literature have been the primary theme of my works.

I have been experimenting for years with Oil color portraits teaching myself the tricks and techniques through my own works. My first solo exhibition was conducted in 2006 and included the portraits of Kerala State's Political and Cultural leaders. I am more interested in working with watercolors. Capturing beautiful landscapes and natural beauty fastly with strokes can be considered my specialty. I continue my experimentation with mediums, styles, and genres. A solo exhibition in a nearby district in 2007 was quite successful and got me recognition in the media.

I have experimented with both oil and dry Pastels too. I tried them on different surfaces - velvet cloth, the smooth side of the hardboard, different types of canvases...

Self-taught painter.

Diploma in Fine Arts (1983) - Kerala, India

ARTSY LOCKDOWN
2022
ACADEMY ART GALLERY, MALAPPURAM

KABANEERAVAM
2018
ACADEMY ART GALLERY, MALAPPURAM

CHEMPOTH
2015
KABANI, KOTTAKKAL

UNTITLED
2014
ACADEMY ART GALLERY, MALAPPURAM

MAZHAVILLU
2011
ACADEMY ART GALLERY, MALAPPURAM

EMANCIPATION
2009
ACADEMY ART GALLERY, MALAPPURAM

ACADEMY ART GALLERY, KOZHIKODE
2008

KERALA LALITA KALA ACADEMY, MALAPPURAM
2006