Pratick Mallick is a contemporary Indian painter and draughtsman whose practice is distinguished by exceptional draftsmanship, expressive figuration, and a sustained exploration of the human and equine form. Based in Kolkata, he completed his Bachelor of Visual Arts in Painting from the Government College of Art & Craft, Kolkata, in 2011. Since then, he has established an independent studio practice centred on drawing, portraiture, contemporary realism, and experimentation across a wide range of media.
Drawing remains the foundation of Mallick’s artistic practice. Working in charcoal, conté, graphite, ink, watercolour, acrylic, and oil, he approaches each work through close observation and a deep understanding of anatomy, structure, and movement. His command of line and tonal modelling allows him to create images that are technically refined while conveying psychological depth and emotional intensity.
The human figure occupies a central place in his work. Rather than treating the body as a purely descriptive subject, Mallick explores gesture, posture, and expression to investigate memory, identity, vulnerability, and the complexities of human emotion. His portraits and figurative compositions frequently possess a quiet introspective quality, where subtle variations of light, texture, and surface reveal the inner presence of the subject rather than merely recording physical appearance.
Alongside his figurative practice, Mallick has developed a distinctive body of work devoted to horses and equestrian subjects. A passionate student of equine anatomy, he has spent considerable time at the Royal Calcutta Turf Club (RCTC), regularly visiting the racecourse and horse stables to study the movement, musculature, balance, and behaviour of thoroughbred racehorses from life. This sustained observation has enabled him to create equestrian works that combine anatomical accuracy with remarkable vitality and expressive power.
Unlike conventional sporting art, Mallick’s horse paintings are not limited to racing scenes. They examine the sculptural beauty, energy, rhythm, and emotional character of the horse itself. Through carefully observed anatomy and fluid draftsmanship, he captures moments of tension, grace, speed, and quiet strength, establishing himself as one of the few contemporary Indian artists to specialise in this demanding subject.
His practice reflects a continuing dialogue between academic realism and contemporary expression. Whether depicting the human body or the horse, Mallick combines disciplined observation with an increasingly personal visual language that balances realism with psychological suggestion.
Over the course of his career, Mallick has participated in numerous exhibitions throughout India. His works have been exhibited at the Academy of Fine Arts, Kolkata, Birla Academy of Art & Culture, the National Gallery of Modern Art, and galleries in New Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Lucknow. In 2024, he participated in an artist residency at Six Senses Fort Barwara, Rajasthan, further expanding his artistic practice through interdisciplinary engagement. In 2025, he exhibited at the Art Society of India Exhibition at Jehangir Art Gallery, Mumbai.
His solo exhibitions include presentations at the Academy of Fine Arts, Kolkata (2020), Eye Within Gallery (2021), and T-93 Art Gallery (2022). In 2024, his ambitious project The Resonance of Kalki was presented successively at the Bridging Culture and Art Foundation, the Academy of Fine Arts, and Cave 31 Art Gallery, followed by an exhibition at Taj Bengal, Kolkata.
Early in his career, Mallick received the Zainul Abedin Award and the Sir J. K. Mukherjee Memorial Award, both in 2011, recognising his exceptional promise as a young artist. His works, including drawings executed in charcoal, conté, and ink, form part of the permanent collection of the Arts Acre Museum, Kolkata.
Association with Aakriti Art Gallery
Pratick Mallick is represented by Aakriti Art Gallery, Kolkata, where his paintings and drawings form part of the gallery’s contemporary programme. Aakriti has actively promoted his work through exhibitions and curated presentations, recognising his exceptional command of drawing and his distinctive contribution to contemporary figurative and equestrian art.
His association with Aakriti reflects the gallery’s commitment to supporting artists who combine academic excellence with an individual contemporary vision. His equestrian paintings, in particular, occupy a unique position within the gallery’s collection, offering a rare contemporary interpretation of one of art history’s most enduring subjects.
Today, Pratick Mallick is recognised as one of the promising younger artists of his generation. Through disciplined observation, technical mastery, and a continuing engagement with the expressive possibilities of drawing and painting, he has developed a body of work that bridges classical draftsmanship with the concerns of contemporary Indian art.
