Obituary Isha Mohammad

1933 – 2021

It is with a deep sorrow that we mourn the passing away of renowned artist Shri Isha Mohammad on 11 May 2021.

Born in 1933, Isha Mohammad completed his studies in I.S.C. from Uttarpara College in West Bengal in 1953. After a 5year diploma in painting and drawing from the Government College of Art & Craft, Kolkata he obtained a 1st First Class Distinction in the year 1958. In 1968 he was invited by Federal Republic of Germany for a study tour, after which he visited London followed by Paris for further studies in paintings and sculptures in Louvre, National Gallery, British Museum and Tate Gallery.

His initial paintings show a simple approach that captured poignant images of Kolkata and its people, which has been the forte of his art. However his later body of works show a relatively simple approach in portraiture in a surreal and realistic environment. In these works one can perceive subtle comments on sexuality, terrorism and socio-political issues.

He has held numerous well-received exhibitions in India and abroad at venues such as AIFACS, Indo-American Society, Vadehra Art Gallery, Jehangir Art Gallery, London and Germany. Mohammad’s works are a part of many esteemed art organizations including The National Gallery of Modern Art, Museum Fur Delhem- Berlin, Birla Academy of Art and Culture, State Academy of Art and The Delhi Art Gallery. His paintings also enjoy pride of place in private collections in the USA, Canada, France, Yugoslavia, West Germany, U.A.E. and India.

Isha Mohammad is known not only as a painter of international repute, but also as a benevolent man who is like a banyan tree to his neighbors. With an ever smiling face and a tender gait, Mohammad is a source of inspiration to the young and old. He was a faculty of Govt. College of Art & Craft, Kolkata and retired as a Principal from the same College. He was the President of very prestigious Asiatic Society, Kolkata till death. He was a very important member of Calcutta Painters (1964), one of the oldest artists’ groups in Kolkata as well as in India.

The sudden demise of artist Isha Mohammad is a great loss for Bengal Art Fraternity as well as in Indian Art scene. He was a very sensitive artist, dedicated teacher and a man with a great discipline.