Archive · 28 Aug 2026
David Malaker’s Cities Turn Memory Into Charged Unreality
David Malaker makes paintings about cities and their long histories.
His works show places such as Calcutta and Benares.
He does not copy these cities exactly.
Instead, he mixes what he sees with memories and new ideas.
Rooftops, boats, alleys and ghats can look strange and dreamlike.
His high viewpoints resemble a style called German Expressionism.
His simple figures also remind viewers of Kalighat paintings.
Dark shadows and lonely cats help show the hidden feelings of a city.
David Malaker’s book explores the history and visual life of cities.
His works depict Calcutta and Benares through observation, memory and artistic invention.
Rooftops, ghats, boats and alleys appear transformed but remain rooted in lived experience.
The viewpoints recall German Expressionism, while the figures echo Kalighat paintings.
Shadows, cats, colour and texture reveal the psychological emotions beneath urban life.
- Who
- Artist David Malaker, with the book presented by Vinayak Pasricha.
- What
- The book DAVID MALAKER: TIME PAST/ TIME PRESENT examines Malaker’s city-focused artworks.
- Where
- The works portray Calcutta and Benares.
- Why
- Malaker uses altered viewpoints, scale, colour and texture to make cities’ hidden emotions visible.
- Book
- DAVID MALAKER: TIME PAST/ TIME PRESENT
- Artist
- David Malaker
- Presented by
- Vinayak Pasricha
- Publisher
- Art Frequencies
- Price
- Rs 4,000
- Featured cities
- Calcutta and Benares
- Artistic references
- German Expressionism, Kalighat pats and Giorgio de Chirico