Born in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh in 1952, Yusuf obtained his Diploma in both painting and in sculpture from Gwalior in the 70`s. In his contemporary abstracts, Yusuf generally sticks to sparse and sometimes-geometric forms spread across the surface. Occasionally he uses mixed media, but most of the time, Yusuf prefers to work with ink on rice paper.
He has held 25 solo shows and participated in important group shows including the VII Triennale in New Delhi (1992) and the Bangladesh Biennale in Dhaka (1995). Yusuf has also taken part in several shows in Korea and Japan. He won the Raza Award in 1984 and the Lalit Kala Akademi National Award, New Delhi in 1987. Yusuf also received the National Fellowship from the Ministry of Culture, New Delhi. He is famous for his pioneering work in setting up the Graphic Workshop at Bharat Bhavan, Bhopal, where he now works as Deputy Director of Graphics. The artist has become an honorary member of many national and international institutions, and has also delivered a series of lectures across Japan.
Yusuf has won awards including the All India Exhibition MKKP, Raipur (1976-77); the International Asian European Biennial, Turkey (1980); the All India Drawing Exhibition, Chandigarh (1984-85); the Bharat Bhavan Biennial, Bhopal (1986); the National Award Lalit Kala Akademi, New Delhi (1987); the M.P. State Award (1997, 1980, 1981); the Raza Award, Bhopal (1994); the All India Kalidas Award, Ujjain; and the M.P. Youth & Social Welfare Award (1997). Yusuf lives and works in Bhopal.
The artist lives and works in Bhopal.