Carmel Berkson
Carmel Berkson | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1924 (age 99–100) |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Occupation | Sculptor |
| Awards | Padma Shri (2010) |
Carmel Berkson (born 1924) is an American sculptor known for her documentation and books on Indian art, aesthetics and architecture. She was conferred the Padma Shri by the Government of India in 2010.[1][2]
Early life and education
Berkson was born in New York in 1924. She majored in history at the Duke University and after graduation, studied sculpture at the Columbia University under Milton Hebald. She is married to Martin Fleisher a batchmate of hers from Duke.[3]
Work in India
By the time she first visited
Notable works
Sculpture
Berkson is noted for both her documentation and commentary on Indian art as well as her own work as a sculptor. She took up sculpting again in 2001 after a hiatus of nearly three decades. Most of her sculptures are renditions of figures from Indian mythology but reflect cubist influences in their depiction.[5]
Her work while drawing from and alluding to Hindu, Christian and Buddhist mythology are noted for their simple, clean forms that reflect a modern aesthetic.[6]
Some of her sculptures are those of
Books
Berkson is the author of several books on Indian art. These include:
- Elephanta, the cave of Shiva
- The caves at Aurangabad: early Buddhist tantric art in India
- The divine and demoniac: Mahisa's heroic struggle with Durga
- Ellora, concept and style
- The life of form in Indian sculpture
- Indian sculpture : towards the rebirth of aesthetics.[7]
Awards and honours
The Government of India honoured Berkson by awarding her the Padma Shri in 2010.[8] Berkson announced her retirement from work and plans to return to the USA later that year.[5] She donated 38 of her sculptures to the permanent collection at the National Gallery of Modern Art, Mumbai in 2011.[9]
References
- ^ "Padma Awards". 2010.
- ^ "President confers".
- ^ "Inspired by ancient Indian art: Carmel Berkson '46". Duke Magazine. Retrieved January 28, 2013.
- ^ "Carmel Berkson". Saffron Art. Retrieved January 28, 2013.
- ^ a b c "Signing off". The Indian Express. October 7, 2010. Retrieved January 28, 2013.
- ^ "An analysis of contemporary sculpture". The Hindu. December 1, 2009. Retrieved January 28, 2013.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Most widely held works by Carmel Berkson". Retrieved January 28, 2013.
- ^ "President presents Padma awards". The Hindu. March 31, 2010. Retrieved January 28, 2013.
- ^ "American artist Carmel Berkson donates 38 sculptures to NGMA". Retrieved January 28, 2013.
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