Krishna Reddy
Encyclopedia
Krishna Reddy is an Indian printmaker and sculptor.
, from 1941 to 1946, with a degree in Fine Art. From 1947-1950, Reddy was head of the art section at Kalaksherra, Madras. From 1951-1952 he continued his studies at the Slade School of Fine Art
, University College
, University of London
. It was here that he studied sculpture un Ossip Zadkine and Marino Marini in Milan
and engraving under Stanley William Hayter
in Paris
.
in 1972, in recognition of his distinguished contributions to art.
Reddy's technique and style have distinguished him as one of the best printmakers of the world. Reddy's prints are abstract. He creates subtle grid-like designs on his plates with intricate texturisations. The myriad complex colour that he introduces in prints are marked by a contemplative approach to the infinite mysteries of nature.
While working at Atelier 17, Krishna Reddy was instrumental in developing a new printing process to produce multi-colored prints from a single printing matrix by exploiting the viscosity and tackiness of the inks, subsequently named viscosity printing. Sticky and thick ink does not roll down on top of oily, runny ink, but oily and runny ink does roll down on top of sticky and thick. Inks of different tack and viscosity are employed to edition multi-colored prints off of deeply etched and carved metal printing plates. This process reveals the three dimensionality of the printing matrix to a significant degree. In the case of a printing matrix with three distinct areas; textured, original surface, and areas that have been smoothly etched to a lower level, each area will print in a different color. The matrix is inked and wiped as an intaglio using etching ink for the first color. A hard roller with slightly runny ink is used to put a layer of ink onto the original surface for the second color. Etching ink is often fairly viscous, but has very low tack so the second color does not adhere to the textured areas. A soft roller with stiff ink is rolled over the entire plate for the third color. The matrix is printed just like any intaglio. When this is carefully done each color is distinct and the process is repeatable. Each step in this process is sensitive to the point that most printmakers employ it for producing monotypes and monoprints rather than editions.
Education
He studied at Vishva-Bharait University, Shantiniketan, West BengalWest Bengal
West Bengal is a state in the eastern region of India and is the nation's fourth-most populous. It is also the seventh-most populous sub-national entity in the world, with over 91 million inhabitants. A major agricultural producer, West Bengal is the sixth-largest contributor to India's GDP...
, from 1941 to 1946, with a degree in Fine Art. From 1947-1950, Reddy was head of the art section at Kalaksherra, Madras. From 1951-1952 he continued his studies at the Slade School of Fine Art
Slade School of Fine Art
The Slade School of Fine Art is a world-renownedart school in London, United Kingdom, and a department of University College London...
, University College
University College London
University College London is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom and the oldest and largest constituent college of the federal University of London...
, University of London
University of London
-20th century:Shortly after 6 Burlington Gardens was vacated, the University went through a period of rapid expansion. Bedford College, Royal Holloway and the London School of Economics all joined in 1900, Regent's Park College, which had affiliated in 1841 became an official divinity school of the...
. It was here that he studied sculpture un Ossip Zadkine and Marino Marini in Milan
Milan
Milan is the second-largest city in Italy and the capital city of the region of Lombardy and of the province of Milan. The city proper has a population of about 1.3 million, while its urban area, roughly coinciding with its administrative province and the bordering Province of Monza and Brianza ,...
and engraving under Stanley William Hayter
Stanley William Hayter
Stanley William Hayter , CBE was a British painter and printmaker associated in the 1930s with Surrealism and from 1940 onward with Abstract Expressionism. Regarded as one of the most significant printmakers of the 20th century, in 1927 Hayter founded the legendary Atelier 17 studio in Paris...
in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
.
Career
Considered a master in intaglio printmaking, Krishna Reddy has been guest professor at many top-ranking universities in the USA. Since 1965 he has been an associate director at Hayter's Atelier 17 in Pads. Reddy received the Padma ShriPadma Shri
Padma Shri is the fourth highest civilian award in the Republic of India, after the Bharat Ratna, the Padma Vibhushan and the Padma Bhushan...
in 1972, in recognition of his distinguished contributions to art.
Reddy's technique and style have distinguished him as one of the best printmakers of the world. Reddy's prints are abstract. He creates subtle grid-like designs on his plates with intricate texturisations. The myriad complex colour that he introduces in prints are marked by a contemplative approach to the infinite mysteries of nature.
While working at Atelier 17, Krishna Reddy was instrumental in developing a new printing process to produce multi-colored prints from a single printing matrix by exploiting the viscosity and tackiness of the inks, subsequently named viscosity printing. Sticky and thick ink does not roll down on top of oily, runny ink, but oily and runny ink does roll down on top of sticky and thick. Inks of different tack and viscosity are employed to edition multi-colored prints off of deeply etched and carved metal printing plates. This process reveals the three dimensionality of the printing matrix to a significant degree. In the case of a printing matrix with three distinct areas; textured, original surface, and areas that have been smoothly etched to a lower level, each area will print in a different color. The matrix is inked and wiped as an intaglio using etching ink for the first color. A hard roller with slightly runny ink is used to put a layer of ink onto the original surface for the second color. Etching ink is often fairly viscous, but has very low tack so the second color does not adhere to the textured areas. A soft roller with stiff ink is rolled over the entire plate for the third color. The matrix is printed just like any intaglio. When this is carefully done each color is distinct and the process is repeatable. Each step in this process is sensitive to the point that most printmakers employ it for producing monotypes and monoprints rather than editions.