Recognised for his photorealistic rendering of rural life in India and a firm foothold as a commercial calendar artist, J. P. Singhal’s career spanned six decades.
Influenced early on by the Bengal School’s ‘wash technique’ and the flowing lines of Chughtai, Singhal went on to render an eclectic range of subjects from mythological themes, Indian beauties and rural life —becoming a celebrated artist in the genre. The photographer in him was nurtured by the numerous travels he undertook documenting the customs of different regions in India.
When filmmaker Raj Kapoor, impressed by his calendar paintings, invited him to style Zeenat Aman and conduct a photo shoot for Satyam Shivam Sundaram (1978), it marked the beginning of a new chapter in his career. Transitioning from a celebrated art teacher and renowned artist in realism and Indian art, he ventured into the fields of photography and publicity design. As a portfolio specialist, concept shoots pioneer and photographer, he went on to design creatives for over 150 films.
While collaborating with his friend M.F. Husain on Gajgamini and Meenaxi, he developed a deep interest in contemporary art. Owing to his weakening eyesight and egged on by Husain, he took to abstract art. This inspired him to reinvent himself as a contemporary artist. Embracing this creative shift, he produced a series of modern art paintings.