Yusuf
Line as Witness
Born in Gwalior in 1952 and trained in painting and sculpture in the 1970s, Yusuf’s artistic language developed through a sustained engagement with drawing and printmaking. Over time, the line emerged as the central protagonist of his work. For Yusuf, a line is never singular.
These lines are not simply backgrounds; they establish the atmospheric field within which forms emerge. At times they create the sensation of motion, like waves of energy passing across the surface. At other moments they appear almost still, forming a quiet grid that stabilises the composition. The viewer’s perception oscillates between these two states - movement and stillness - making the paintings feel simultaneously dynamic and contemplative.
A selection of works from this body was showcased by Black Cube Gallery and Shantanu Sharma in 2026, inviting viewers to encounter his multidisciplinary work in person.