SUNIL DAS (1939-2015) "HORSES" SIGNED ON BOTTOM RIGHT, PENCI...

Hammer

£1,500

SUNIL DAS (1939-2015) "HORSES" SIGNED ON BOTTOM RIGHT, PENCIL & CHARCOAL ON PAPER

Size: 27 x 21.5 inches

Provenance:

Private U.K. collection

Footnotes:

Sunil Das, a prominent post-modernist figure in Indian art, has consistently
defied artistic
stagnation by embracing various styles throughout his career. Recognizing the weight of
responsibility that accompanies his status as a celebrated painter, Das remains deeply
committed to connecting with ordinary people emotions and the realities they face,
particularly those at the grassroots level. Initially renowned for his extraordinary horse
drawings, producing a staggering 7000 pieces between 1950 and 1960, Sunil Das underwent
a transformation during a 1962 visit to Spain when he became enamoured with the
electrifying world of bullfights Now in his sixties, Sunil Das reflects on his extensive career,
marked by nine to ten distinct phases, each characterized by exceptional skill and
unwavering integrity. He has fluidly transitioned from one artistic style to another
throughout his artistic journey. Das creative process is a testament to his profound
connection with the subject matter. He interprets and conceptualizes authentic feelings
about reality, transmuting them in the crucible of his mind before expressing them on
canvas. This artistic alchemy involves relentless exploration of colours and shapes until they
converge into the desired composition, akin to a conductor harmonizing various instruments
into a symphonic masterpiece. Sunil Das's transformative journey took him to Europe
on a
French art scholarship, where he studied at the prestigious Ecole Nationale Superieure des
Beaux-Arts. A few months in Spain sparked his enduring passion for horses and bulls.
Additionally, his artistic influences include his study of sculpture in Santiniketan, Kolkata, and
graphic art in Paris. The resulting fusion of structural rigidity and depth from these
influences is evident in his artworks. Sunil Das's canvases transcend the physical
attributes of his subjects, delving into their associative qualities. Although he occasionally portrays human
figures, his depictions are often skewed, bordering on macabre surrealism. His series on
women, particularly those with enigmatic, beguiling eyes, conveys a range of emotions,
including the sensual, and underscores the societal pressures experienced by women. In his
artistic palette, Sunil Das predominantly shuns vibrant or warm colours, opting instead for
soft browns, mauves, and whites in the background to amplify the drama of life. His artistic
ethos blends talent with tireless effort, relying on suggestion and minimalism to convey
powerful messages. While his forms may appear surreal, they possess a morbid fascination,
serving as a reflection on the inhumanity within humanity. Sunil Das achieved a remarkable
feat by being the sole Indian artist to receive a National Award, the Shiromani Kala Puraskar,
while still an undergraduate at the Government College of Art and Craft in Kolkata. His
prolific career includes participation in numerous exhibitions, and his works are held in
esteemed collections, including those of the National Gallery of Modern Art in New Delhi,
the Glenbarra Art Museum in Japan, and the Ludwig Museum in Germany.