Sushil Sarkar, a Kolkata based renowned Indian painter was also an art educator par excellence. He was the Principal of the Sarda Ukil School of Art. He also worked in the Publicity Division of the government of India and was a Founder member of All India Fine Arts & Crafts Society. Sarkar was closely associated with Ram Babu, founder of India’s oldest art gallery, Dhoomimal Gallery that is, in late thirties and early forties.
Sushil Sarkar belongs to the category of early modernists, who were prone to taking the elements of traditional Indian art and give them a modern idiom, that is, add create a unique, modernist idiom for Indian art while keeping its roots intact. And they not only succeeded but also ruled the art scene for a while.
Sushil Sarkar’s works are the manifestation and embodiment of a poetic consciousness. Lyrical and endearing, his works of Sushil Sarkar tent to give you a poetic vibration. Their cultural context is deep enough to engage you for a while.
Sarkar played a pioneering role in redefining art education and setting the trend for future art educaton in India while he was the Principal of the Sarda Ukil School of Art. He became the Principal in 1959. Even though the school suffered from lack of funds in his tenure, that didn’t deter Sarkar from his efforts. He worked hard to promote art and art history. He also organised demonstration classes by well known artists with the aim of providing the students with necessary exposure to new techniques and methods of painting. He promoted new artistic practices while encouraging young students to take heed of art history.