About

‘The work I create is at its core, preoccupied with my questions about life and reconciling with the truths I find.’

Shibu Arakkal is an Indian photographic artist.

Creating conceptual artworks from photography, Arakkal’s practice is based on his philosophic and abstract view of life itself, heeding more to the intangible than the tangible.

Having shown in over fifty solo and group exhibitions, in a career of over twenty-five years, he is internationally recognised and was awarded the prestigious ‘Lorenzo il Magnifico’ Gold Prize in digital art at the Florence Biennale 2013 in Italy.

Awarded first prize at the Arad International Biennale, Romania in 2005 and the Ventipertrenta International Digital Art Festival, Italy in 2011, his works are part of private and institutional collections across India, China, Singapore, Australia, Italy, USA and Mexico.

In his early twenties, with a degree in Economics, Political Science and Sociology, he was accepted into a Postbaccalaureate program at the iconic San Francisco Art Institute, offered only to BFA and MFA graduates.
The decision to eventually decline the opportunity, to create a practice based in his native country has resulted in a unique and authentic style of work.

Arakkal’s work has been shown internationally in solo exhibitions at the MIDAC Museum and Palazzo Bonfranceschi, Italy in 2012 and group exhibitions at the Royal College of Art, London in 2007, at the India Art Fair, New Delhi by Paris-based Galerie Baudoin Lebon in 2015, at the Niagara Falls History Museum in 2018, at the Museo Maya de Cancun and Almanaque Fotográfica, Mexico City in 2022.

Arakkal is an experimenter in analogue and digital photographic mediums and is also the creator of the term ‘iPhonography’, the medium of digital photography using the iPhone.

Arakkal travels extensively for his work and lives in Bangalore, India.

Biography

  • 2018 May : ‘Water for Life’, international group show, Niagara Falls History Museum, Canada
  • 2015 February : Represented Galerie Baudoin Lebon Paris in India Art Fair, New Delhi
  • 2013 December : Lorenzo il Magnifico’ Gold Prize in digital art, IX Florence Biennale, Italy
  • 2012 May-June : ‘Dualità’, solo exhibition, Palazzo Bonfranceschi, Belforte del Chienti, Italy
  • 2007 August-September : ‘Emerging India’, international group exhibition, The Royal College of Art, London
  • 2005 : First place award, photography, The Arad International Biennale, Romania

1976 : Born in Bangalore, India

Education

1994 : Bachelor of Arts in economics, political science & sociology, St. Joseph’s College, Bangalore

1994 : Diploma in Digital Media, Edit Institute, Bangalore

1993 : Trained in photography under Sudhir Ramchandran and Rafique Sayed

Awards

2016 February : Finalist, Hasselblad Masters Awards

2013 December : ‘Lorenzo il Magnifico’ Gold Prize, digital art, IX Florence Biennale, Italy

2011 December : First place award, ‘Ventipertrenta 11’, International Festival of Digital Art, Italy

2005 June : First place award, photography, The Arad International Biennale, Romania

2004 July-August : Fifth place award, ‘Ventipertrenta 04’, International Festival of Digital Art, Italy

Residencies

2012 May-June : Terra dell´Arte Artistic Residency, Palazzo Bonfranceschi, Belforte del Chienti, Italy

Solo Exhibitions

1999 March : ‘Images of Europe’, ITC Windsor Manor & Chitrakala Parishad, Bangalore

2001 June : ‘Off the Shadow’, Sakshi Gallery, Bangalore

2005 March : ‘Been There’, Galerie Sara Arakkal, Bangalor

2005 April : ‘Been There’, Gallery Beyond, Mumbai

2006 November : ‘Abstract Notions’, Galerie Sara Arakkal, Bangalore

2007 January : ‘Abstract Notions’, Kitab Mahal, Mumbai

2007 February : ‘Abstract Notions’, Art n Soul, New Delhi

2009 April : ‘Skin’, WelcomArt Gallery, ITC Windsor, Bangalore

2009 April : ‘Skin, Online show, www.indianartcollectors.com

2009 August : ‘Eiffel O’Seven’, Alliance Francaise de Bombay, Mumbai

2009 August-October : ‘Feeling Absence’, Gallery Caperberry, Bangalore

2009 September : ‘Eiffel O’Seven’, Gallery Time & Space, Bangalore

2010 September : ‘Passing By’, Sublime Galleria, Bangalore

2011 December : ‘Ventipertrenta 11’, International Festival of Digital Art, Italy

2012 May-June : ‘Off the Shadow’, The MIDAC Museum, Belforte del Chienti, Italy

2012 May-June : ‘Dualità’, Palazzo Bonfranceschi, Belforte del Chienti, Italy

2012 August : ‘Finding Nowhere’, KYNKYNY Art, Bangalore

2014 February : ‘Journey Thus Far’, Mahua, Bangalore

2017 September : ‘Four’, Gallery Time & Space, Bangalore

2019 September : ‘Mallaah’, Gallery G, Bangalore

Group Exhibitions

2000 May: Group show, Gallery Threshold, Vishakapatanam

2003 August : ‘Exploring South’, Inaugural show, Galerie Sara Arakkal, Bangalore

2004 June : Conceptualised, curated and participated, ‘Chapter One’ with Rafique Sayed and Azis TM, Galerie Sara Arakkal, Bangalore

2004 August : ‘Chapter One’, Gallery Beyond, Mumbai

2004 August : ‘Annual Show’, Galerie Sara Arakkal, Bangalore

2004 July-August : ‘Ventipertrenta 04’, International Festival of Digital Art, Italy

2004 December : The National Exhibition Of Art, Lucknow

2005 March : ‘India At Arad’, Galerie Sara Arakkal, Bangalore

2005 June : The Arad International Biennale, Arad, Romania

2005 October : ‘100 Contemporary Indian Artists 2005’, ‘Joss’, Kala Ghoda, Mumbai

2005 October : ‘Metrospective’, Kitab Mahal, Mumbai

2006 May : ‘Metrospective’, Alliance Francaise De Delhi

2006 April : ‘Impressions of India’, The Pavilion, Singapore

2006 July-August : ‘The Monsoon Chapter’, Alliance Francaise De Delhi

2006 August-September : ‘The Monsoon Chapter’, Gallery Art & Soul, New Delhi

2006 September : ‘Annual Show’, Galerie Sara Arakkal, Bangalore

2006 November : ‘Digressing Domains’, Lalit Kala Akademi, New Delhi

2007 February : ‘Abstract 2007’, Online show, www.redearthindia.com

2007 January : ‘The Big Draw’, Crimson, Bangalore

2007 April : Bangalore Photography Festival, The Leela, Bangalore

2007 April : The Elle Breast Cancer Carnival, Taj West End, Bangalore

2007 August : ‘Monsoon light’, Max Mueller Bhavan, New Delhi

2007 August : ‘Annual Show’, Galerie Sara Arakkal, Bangalore

2007 August-September : ‘Emerging India’, The Royal College of Art, London

2007 October : ‘Colours Of Art’, The Jehangir Art Gallery, Mumbai

2007 November : ‘Colours Of Art’, Stainless Art Gallery, New Delhi

2007 November : Preview, Indian Artists, Adana Biennale of Contemporary Art (Turkey), The Royal Orchid Hotel, Bangalore

2007 December : ‘Art In Step’, India Habitat Centre, New Delhi

2008 August : ‘Art Beat’, Online show, www.theshrinegallery.com

2008 September-October : ‘Sojourn To Ramganga’, Galerie Sara Arakkal, Bangalore

2009 January : ‘Concrescence’, Gallery Beyond, Mumbai

2009 November : ‘Living Art Expanse’, Galeria De Arte, New Delhi

2010 January : ‘Streets’, Venkatappa Art Gallery, Bangalore

2010 March : Khushii’s ‘Art Loot’, New Delhi

2011 June : ‘Art Bengaluru’, UB City, Bangalore

2011 November : India Art Festival, Mumbai

2011 December : ‘Ventipertrenta 11’, International Festival of Digital Art, Italy

2012 April : ‘Two’, Galerie De’Arts, Bangalore

2012 May : Hong Kong Contemporary, The Park Lane Hong Kong

2012 October : 40th Anniversary Show, Cymroza Art Gallery, Mumbai

2012 November : India Art Festival, Mumbai

2013 January : Annual Show, Mahua, Bangalore

2013 August : Show for ICICI Bank Mumbai, Mahua, Bangalore

2013 September : ‘Melange’, Sublime Galleria, Bangalore

2013 October-November : ‘Faces’, Mahua, Bangalore

2013 November : ‘JW Art Brunch’ by Mahua, JW Marriott Hotel, Bangalore

2013 December : IX Florence Biennale, Italy

2013 December : ‘Duality’, India Art Festival, Mumbai

2015 February : India Art Fair, Represented Galerie Baudoin Lebon, New Delhi

2016 September : ‘Healing Nature : Restoring Balances, Gallery Time & Space, Bangalore

2016 September : ‘Ways of Seeing’, Art Houz, Bangalore

2018 May : ‘Water for Life’, International group show, Niagara Falls History Museum, Canada

2019 July-August : ‘Skin : The Finer Nuance’, Threshold Art Gallery, New Delhi

2022 March : ‘Water for Life’, International group show, Museo Maya de Cancun, Mexico

2022 September : ‘Unique Nature’, Gama Week, Almanaque Fotográfica, Mexico City, Mexico

Collections

Private and institutional collections in India, China, Singapore, Australia, Italy, USA and Mexico

Press

Arakkal’s work has been reviewed and covered by most newspapers, numerous print and online publications, art journals, photography and lifestyle magazines in India and some internationally.

Artist Talks

2019 May : ‘From Journeyman to Expert – A Personal Odyssey’, Audiovisual talk, SAP Labs India, Bangalore

2019 March : ‘Life Imitates Art’, Audiovisual talk, Ekya School, Bangalore

2015 February : iPhonography talk, Taj Kuteeram, Bangalore

2014 July : ‘Essence of Photography’, Audiovisual talk, NGMA Bengaluru

2011 February: ‘Introduction to Photo Art’, Audiovisual talk, NGMA Bengaluru

Workshops

2019 April : iPhonography workshop, Embassy BLVD Club, Bangalore

2008 March : Artists workshop, participation, Ramganga, Uttaranchal

2005 January : Artists workshop, Tsunami relief, participation, Bangalore

2005 October : Artists workshop, participation, Moscow & St. Petersburg, Russia

Lives and works in Bangalore, India.

Quotes

‘As a photographer, he does not allow for ready consumption of his work, but poses serious questions by way of his technique, that is making the subjects disappear from sight, making them appear in the psychic space of mind, posing questions before the viewer.’

‘The idea of photography like this to me seems closer to the idea of painting where reality is presented before us in a diffracted way. I am very pleased to partake in his endeavours of technique, labour, craft and a way of seeing which reminds us of the limits of reason, culture, thought, and contemporary politics, as we see from the point of view of mortality of bodies and languages.’

Riyas Komu . Artist . Curator . Kochi Biennale Co-Founder . Kochi . 2019

‘Shibu Arakkal’s contribution to the 2018 Water for Life exhibition in Niagara Falls Ontario has attracted the attention and kind words of many of our visitors. In his piece “Untitled”, the polished surface and gentle gradations of colour and light succeed in unifying the space and evoking the tranquility of water, arguably the world’s greatest resource.’

Suzanne Moase . Art Curator . Niagara Falls History Museum . Niagara . 2018

‘Shibu Arakkal digital artist, combines with great skill traditional and modern photography techniques without forgetting his personal style full of knowledge and research.

In his artworks there is a constant dialogue with the soul and feelings which is not limited only with spaces.

Shibu reveals unusual details that invite the public to travel and interpret his shadows, his colors giving to the viewer the freedom to create his own dreams.
Shibu creates with his artworks a perfect visual synthesis of beauty and emotions.’

Angelina Herrera . International Cultural Promoter . Mexico City . 2018

‘In Shibu’s imagery one can feel and empathise, while being forced to respond spontaneously to a quest for the emancipation of the self.’

Antoine Gaber . Contemporary Film Producer . Artist . Curator . Toronto . 2018

‘As we take bracing pleasure in Arakkal’s photographic departures, we are reminded strongly of the philosopher Gaston Bachelard’s suggestion that ‘Imagination is the faculty of deforming images offered by perception, of freeing ourselves from the immediate images; it is especially the faculty of changing images.’

Ranjit Hoskote . Contemporary Indian Poet . Art Critic . Cultural Theorist . Independent Curator

‘These photographs by Shibu Arakkal of Magadi village catch the majestic contours of desolation, almost making silence visible. The perfect stillness which he has captured in the rocks, temple ponds, and deliquescent walls, all haunted by their desolation, in turn transform the viewer into elements of the photographed moment, breathless in anticipation of the next shift in the light.’

Girish Karnad . Writer . Playwright . Screenwriter . Actor . Director . July 2012

‘The ease with which Shibu Arakkal manages the image, in his photos, is a big help for the spectator (or enjoyer if you prefer) in the acquisition of the meanings that are expressed from these same photos, but we must immediately make it clear that this way of speaking with photography is so fluid because upstream there is a large inner work, which certainly must have cost the author a great effort and a steady application to refine its sensitivity and capacity; if we also add the study, to achieve a wonderful technique, everybody can well understand that the viewer enjoys without effort, without realizing it, through a very big and heavy work of an other.’

Umberto Maria Milizia . Art Historian . Critic . Former Professor of the History of Styles . Academy of Fine Arts . Frosinone . Italy

‘Shibu Arakkal merges his longstanding interest in formal structure and abstraction with a humanistic approach, in which technical manipulation creates a synthesis between figures and their backgrounds or surroundings to suggest the passage of time and vulnerability.’

Jeffrey Wechsler . Senior Curator . Zimmerli Art Museum . New York . 2011

‘It is indeed wonderful how his photographs effortlessly guide you through the happy and sad moments of that time’

Shakti Burman . Artist . Paris . 2011

‘We can enlarge our life through a different way to develop our perception. This is the only way to understand our life and the Life. This is the wonderful thing that I see in Shibu Arakkal’s art experience. This wonderful sensation is the gift that he gives to me and to everybody that are ready to discover his images without any filter in the eyes and in the heart.’

Alfonso Caputo . Artist . Curator . Terra dell’Arte President – MIDAC Museum Director . Tolentino Italy . 2011

‘He has the heart of a painter and the mind of a photographer. I think this is a potent combination for a young photographer. He can create his own universe.’

Rafique Sayed . Photographer . 2006

‘In his unusual collection of photographs there is indeed a certain resonance-a cameo quality of visual intentions and expressional evocations.’

Uma Nair . Asian Age . July 2001

‘It is obvious that his work is not an attempt to what people want to see. Here we see photography of the purest possible instinct, shorn of most of the vestiges of tradition and through utility of only those facets that make his work what it is today – STRONG and NOBLE.’

Sudhir Ramchandran . Photographer . 1998