Suresh Kumar, in New Delhi, India, is a versatile artist with a rich career spanning diverse fields, including commercial art, advertising, postage stamp design, and fine art. Kumar’s artistic journey is marked by innovation and passion, making him a prominent figure in the world of Indian art and design.
By Vedika Singh
Early Life and Education
Kumar began his education at Kerala School in New Delhi before moving to London, where he completed his schooling at Aylestone High School, specializing in Science, Technical Drawing, and Art. Returning to India, he pursued a degree in Commercial Art from the College of Art, New Delhi, graduating in 1986.
Career Beginnings
His professional journey started with Video-Wallas, where he worked for two years in video editing and storyboarding. Kumar’s talent for illustration soon led him to freelance work, creating iconic characters for brands such as Nestle Milky Bar, Hajmola, Milo, Dabur, and McDonald’s. His illustrations also graced publications like The Times of India, Hindustan Times, Target magazine, and Rupa Publications.
Expanding Horizons in Design
Kumar’s expertise extended to advertising campaigns and promotional materials for companies and NGOs, including Pepsi, DuPont, Modi Care, GPI, CHRI, UNIFEM, and MARG. His work with India Post as a panel artist is particularly noteworthy, with over 100 postage stamps, first-day covers, and stationery materials to his credit. Designing stamps, he notes, involves a unique blend of creativity and precision to ensure clarity in miniature form.
Architectural and Event Design
Collaborating with architects, Kumar has designed layout plans, interiors, and 3D showrooms, exhibition halls, and tableaux. He also ventured into themed event design for prominent clients like ITDC, Claridges, Sahara, and the British High Commission through firms like E-Factor and Backstage.
Transition to Fine Art
In 2008, Kumar and a college friend shifted focus to painting, creating two celebrated series: Colours of India and Vintage Cars. These works, primarily in oil, acrylic, and watercolor, found homes with prestigious clients and galleries such as Art Alive Gallery, Artoholics Gallery, and Passage Art in New Delhi. His paintings, inspired by wildlife and human anatomy, explore layered narratives that juxtapose the human and animal worlds.
Teaching and Mentorship
Passionate about sharing his knowledge, Kumar has served as a visiting faculty member at institutions like the College of Art, Delhi, Meera Bai Institute of Technology, and Sushant School of Design. He teaches illustration techniques, life drawing, and anatomy, fostering a new generation of artists.
Love for Nature and Philately
A lifelong nature enthusiast, Kumar is a member of Friends of Nature, a group dedicated to wildlife adventures. His passion extends to stamp design, where he blends his love for nature with artistry, creating stamps that often feature wildlife and environmental themes. His designs for Endangered Birds and Beat Plastic Pollution are renowned for their vibrant yet poignant messaging.
Artistic Philosophy and Legacy
Kumar attributes his artistic roots to his childhood, recalling how his early drawings of animals and nature won accolades. His exposure to serious art during his schooling in the UK and later at the College of Art in Delhi cemented his career path. He reflects fondly on his evolution, from crafting comic strips for children’s magazines like Target to designing murals for trade fairs and advertising campaigns.
Despite the challenges posed by the digital era, Kumar sees postage stamps as a timeless medium of communication. He actively collaborates with the Postal Department to revive interest in philately through art competitions and innovative stamp designs.
Unforgettable Wildlife Encounters
Kumar’s adventures in wildlife photography and safaris are a testament to his deep connection with nature. He recounts thrilling moments, like observing a leopard leap near his vehicle in Panna National Park and a rare sighting of a tigress with her cubs.
A Life Dedicated to Creativity
Whether designing for NGOs, illustrating for publications, or crafting fine art, Suresh Kumar embodies the spirit of a true artist. His multi-genre expertise and dedication to art’s transformative power make him a revered figure in the artistic community.
Suresh Kumar’s journey is a celebration of creativity, resilience, and a deep-rooted love for art in all its forms.
