Modernist K.K. Hebbar (1911 - 1996) infused the aesthetic traditions of Indian folk art with Western abstraction and figuration.
Hebbar demonstrated a keen sensitivity to nature as he captured the rhythm and balance of landscapes,
flora, fauna, and birds. His work showcases a deep understanding of the
symbiotic relationship between human communities and their natural surroundings.
The natural elements in his paintings often serve as metaphors for various aspects of the human experience, reflecting the transitory nature of life. K. K. Hebbar's posthumous exhibitions include Long Gone & Living Now (2009) at Gallerie Mirchandani + Steinreucke, In Remembrance (1999) at The Fine Art Company, and a 1997 retrospective at Jehangir Art Gallery by the K. K. Hebbar Art Foundation. His major solo shows include those at Vadehra Art Gallery (1993), Jehangir Art Gallery (1980,1987), and participation inthe Venice Biennale (1955) and São Paulo Biennale
(1959). He was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 1989 and Maharashtra’s Gourav Puraskar in 1990.