A major centennial exhibition honoring the legendary printmaker and teacher Krishna Reddy is currently captivating art lovers in Santiniketan. Titled "Krishna Reddy at 100: Of Friendships," the show serves as a profound tribute to his immense influence and the deep personal connections that shaped his seven-decade career.
A Journey Through Artistic Alliances
The exhibition, which began on December 6, 2025, is being held at Tokaroun in Santiniketan. It is a collaborative effort with the Musui Art Foundation and will remain open to the public until March 21, 2026. The curation uniquely presents Reddy's key rare and early works alongside pieces by his mentors, contemporaries, and students. This creates a dynamic dialogue between generations of artists.
Visitors can see works by a stellar lineup including his mentors Nandalal Bose, Benode Behari Mukherjee, and Ramkinkar Baij. The display also features his peers from the iconic Atelier 17 like Stanley William Hayter, as well as renowned artists such as Zarina, Shirley Witebsky, Mona Saudi, and Nalini Malani. This setup underscores the collaborative spirit that defined Reddy's life.
From Santiniketan Roots to Global Legacy
Krishna Reddy's artistic journey is deeply rooted in Santiniketan, where he arrived at the age of 16. His education at Kalabhavana under masters like Bose, Mukherjee, and Baij instilled in him a sensitive and profound understanding of nature, which became a cornerstone of his practice. His quest for knowledge later took him to the Slade School of Art in London to study sculpture under Henry Moore.
However, his most groundbreaking contribution came during his time at Stanley William Hayter’s Atelier 17 in Paris in the early 1950s. Here, Reddy pioneered the simultaneous multicolour viscosity printing technique. This revolutionary method in intaglio printmaking, which uses inks of variable viscosities to achieve multiple colors in a single pass, changed the field forever and remains his signature innovation.
A Life Dedicated to Art and Pedagogy
Reddy's career was as much about teaching as it was about creating. He served as co-director of Atelier 17 in Paris, founded the Color Print Atelier in New York, and from 1976 held the influential position of director of the Printmaking department at New York University (NYU). His impact as a pedagogue stretched across continents, inspiring countless artists.
His work has been celebrated globally in major exhibitions and print biennales. Recent shows include "Krishna Reddy: Heaven in a Wildflower" at the Print Center in New York (2025) and "Of Friendships: Krishna Reddy & His World" at Experimenter galleries in Mumbai and Kolkata (2024). His legacy was also highlighted in exhibitions at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York (2016–17) and in Kolkata.
More than a retrospective, "Krishna Reddy at 100: Of Friendships" is a heartfelt celebration of a visionary's life. It highlights his relentless experimentation and his belief in the power of artistic community and mentorship. The exhibition invites everyone to explore the rich tapestry of his journey and the enduring philosophy that continues to inspire the art world.
