Achuthan Kudallur

 Achuthan Kudallur is a prominent abstract artist in the South Indian contemporary art scene. Born in Kerala, he is largely self-taught, with the most formal instruction coming from evening classes at the Government College of Arts & Crafts in Madras. Kudallur is foremost a colorist, his deep love for individual colours leading him to abandon figuration in favour of pure colour expression. His paintings are instinctive and emotional, yet reflect systematic thought.

Kudallur’s work often takes a specific colour as its source of inspiration, which he describes affectionately as 'his blue,' 'his yellow,' or 'his red.' Despite his charismatic demeanor, he is sensitive to criticism, particularly about his abstract art. For Kudallur, abstraction is a complex, personal process.

Notable works like the two red 'Untitled' 2007 paintings demonstrate his intense and decorative style. Kudallur’s approach, emphasizing the enigmatic nature of colour, is summed up in his own words: "Colour spreads by its own logic. There are no story-telling pretensions in my creative process... If I can explain everything, what is there for me to paint?" This philosophy underscores the spontaneous and mysterious nature of his work.