K. K. Hebbar

1911

Born on 15 June at Kattingeri in Udupi district, Karnataka; father makes Ganesha idols during festivals, instilling a love for art in young Hebbar.

1940-46

Joins his alma mater as faculty. Extensively paints landscapes of Kerala in this phase.

1941

Wins gold medal of the Academy of Fine Arts, Calcutta.

Early 1940s

His Karla Caves, a realistic painting, becomes one of his earliest works to gain him recognition. Is inspired by miniature paintings and paints scenes of bucolic India.

1947

Receives the gold medal of the Bombay Art Society.

1949

Strongly influenced by Amrita Sher-Gil’s expressions of eastern sensibilities through western techniques, Hebbar leaves for Europe to explore western art further; studies painting at Académie Julian under the impressionist painter Prof. Cavailles, and, later, graphics at École Estienne; exhibits his works in an exhibition in Paris.

1950

Exhibits in London.

1951

Has a one-man show at Salon de Mai, Paris.

1953

Is appointed chairman of Artists Centre, Bombay, and continues to serve at that post till 1973. Participates in group show, ‘All India Exhibition of Paintings and Sculptures’, that travels to the U.S.S.R., Poland and West Germany.

1954

Lalit Kala Akademi nominates him an ‘Eminent Artist’ at its first general council meet. Is appointed president of the Art Society of India, Bombay, a position that he holds till 1957.

1955

Participates in Venice Biennale.

1956

Wins Lalit Kala Akademi’s national award for his work Rhythm; wins again in 1957 for Song of the Field, and in 1958 for Mahim Darga. Is conferred the first Bombay State Art Award.

1959

Participates in Sao Paulo Biennale, Brazil. A highly regarded portrait painter, he makes several portraits of the leadership. Jawaharlal Nehru (also the subject of his portraits) unveils a portrait of Maulana Azad at Azad Bhavan, New Delhi. Tours Indonesia and is fascinated by its Hindu culture.

Late 1950s - early 1960s

Extensively paints Bombay landscapes, documenting the city.

1960

Lalit Kala Akademi publishes his monograph as part of its Contemporary Artists Series.

1961

Is awarded the Padma Shri by the Government of India.

1964

Presents a solo show in New York. A major publication, The Singing Line, is published in Bombay by Peacock Publication. A second edition is re-issued in 1982 by New Delhi-based Abhinav Publication.

1964-75

Travels extensively across Europe, exhibiting his work; upon his return, experiments with mediums, methods and styles, even learning Kathak to understand rhythm, after which music and dance figure extensively as subjects in his work.

1965

Participates in ‘Art Now in India’ exhibition, in London and Brussels.

1969

Bonythan Gallery, Australia, hosts the artist’s solo show.

1970s

Travels frequently to Rajasthan, often spending his days sketching.

1971

Retrospective show is held at Rabindra Bhavan, Lalit Kala Akademi, New Delhi.

1973

Participates in group show, ‘Drawings and Paintings’ at All India Fine Arts and Crafts Society (A.I.F.A.C.S.), New Delhi. The book, An Artist’s Quest, is published by Abhinav Publivation, New Delhi.

1976

Is awarded the Lalit Kala Akademi fellowship. Mysore University bestows an honorary doctorate on him.

1978

Solo show, ‘Hebbar - Drawings and Paintings’, is held at Jehangir Art Gallery, Bombay.

1978-80

Serves as the president of the Lalit Kala Akademi, Karnataka.

1980

‘K. K. Hebbar: Retrospective’ is held at Jehangir Art Gallery, Bombay. Hebbar’s modernist trope wins him appreciation at a national level, in Bombay—a city he chronicles frequently—as well as back home in Karnataka. His early alignment with independent India’s attempts to build an egalitarian society are reflected in his work from that period.

1983

Bestowed with the Soviet Land Nehru Award.

1985

Is awarded the Karnataka Lalit Kala Akademi Award for distinguished artists.

1986

Is awarded the Karnataka State Rayotsava Award.

1987

Participates in group show, ‘Indian Drawing Today’ at Jehangir Art Gallery. Is appointed president of the Bombay Art Society, a position he serves till 1990.

1988

Maharashtra government bestows its Gourav Puraskar on him.

1989

Is awarded Padma Bhushan by the Government of India.

1990

Awarded the Gaurav Puraskar by Maharashtra Shasan.

1991

Hebbar’s exhibition at Jehangir Art Gallery, Bombay, is accompanied by the book, Voyage in Images.

1993

Solo show, ‘K. K. Hebbar: Exhibition of Paintings’, is held at Vadehra Art Gallery, New Delhi.

1994

Is honoured by the Government of Karnataka’s Varnashilpi Venkatappa Award.

1996

Passes away on 26 March.

2016

The Hebbar Gallery and Art Centre supported by the K. K. Hebbar Trust is set up at Manipal Centre for Philosophy and Humanities, Manipal University. Its collection includes twenty-six portraits painted by the artist and loaned by the K. K. Hebbar Art Foundation.