Jogen Chowdhury

Jogen Chowdhury is known for his ability to successfully marry traditional imagery with the zeitgeist of contemporary painting, in a skillful blend of an urbane self-awareness and a highly localized Bengali influence. His early works show an attention to figuration that carries through in his current pieces. In an interview, Chowdhury commented that, in his early works, "the space projected a simple iconic presence. A spatial sequence was worked out but the space was not complex. The background seemed to vanish." Anshuman Dasgupta describes these works as more iconic and more dramatized; per contra, Chowdhury describes his later works as "now more personalized and subtle".

During his college days, Chowdhury took part in leftist literary circles, the members of which dismissed Rabindranath Tagore as a bourgeoisie and became interested in the works of Russian authors. But by and large, Chowdhury kept himself apart from cultural movements: though a friend of the members of the Hungry Generation, his imagery was drawn from his cultural background more than his intellectual milieu.

"My background is relevant," he once remarked in an interview, explaining that his life in Calcutta was "quite disturbed with political movements. This has a definite influence on my work like the Ganesha period. The Bengali business class worshipping the icon, and their corruption, how they degenerate just like the flesh." The famine, the Partition, and the food movement all cast a pall over his formative years, and a quality of darkness may be seen to inhere in Chowdhury's work. Yet as well as an indicator of sadness, this darkness can be understood to evoke an aura of mystery. It is an effect enhanced in Chowdhury's more recent works, which, increasingly, crop the central image. Chowdhury explains that "The purpose is to hide some parts. The moment I show the entire figure, the interest in the details would be lost. Earlier on, the figures were observed in their natural bearings which came through expressionistic stylization and the weight of reality was greater. There is an effect of distancing today."

Speaking on contemporary art, Chowdhury maintains the necessity of a uniquely Indian approach to art, as opposed to the blind aping of Western trends, "To be global you do not have to

do something that is imitative of America, Australia or England. It has to have an authenticity, which is not what blind imitation allows for."

Born in 1939 in Faridpur, Bengal, Chowdhury studied at the Government College of Art and Crafts, Kolkata, from 1955-60, followed by a stint at L'Ecole Nationale Superior des Beax-Arts, Paris, in 1965-57 on a French Government Scholarship. His recent solo exhibitions include 'A Calligraphy of Touch and Gaze', presented by Kalakriti Art Gallery at ICIA, Mumbai, in 2008; and ‘Abahoman: Flowing Life’ at Vadehra Art Gallery, New Delhi, in 2007. Chowdhury has also had solo exhibitions at Gajah Gallery, Singapore; Gallerie Foundation for Indian Artists, Amsterdam; and the Fine Art Resource, Berlin.

In 1966, Chowdhury was awarded the Prix le France de la Jeune Peinture in Paris, and, in 1986, received an award at the Second Biennale of Havana, Cuba. He was presented the Kalidas Sanman by the Government of Madhya Pradesh in 2001.

The artist lives and works in Santiniketan. (Profile from Saffron Art)

Saumya Ananthakrishna

Born 1981, Saumya pursued her studies in B.F.A and M.F.A in Painting from Faculty of Fine Art, M.S. University, Baroda, 2003 and 2005 respectively. She has participated in numerous solo and group exhibitions in India, Italy, UK, Singapore, US, etc since 1998. She has been part of many camps and workshops. She is recipient of Lalit Kala National Level Scholarship in 2009 and 2010. Saumya lives and works in Delhi, India.

Rajeshwar Rao

A. Rajeshwara Rao’s paintings are about transition. Through his work, the artist reminds us in a quaint and humorous manner of the incredible influence popular media has on our culture. Rao depicts simple, everyday people and their many ambitions; he illustrates the psychological desires of the physical self. His compositions are magnificent, quirky and meticulous. The artist’s vibrant palette shares a strong dynamic with his intricate weave of lines and forms that it brings to life. Rao draws his observations of people and their stories, recording these experiences with photographic precision; however, ultimately choosing to depict them in a strange and make-believe world. Even though the artist has serious concerns about these issues, his representations of them are witty, dramatic and full of humour. His multi-faceted compositions instantly remind the viewer of their own dreams and fantasies. A. Rajeshwara Rao was born in 1960, in Vizaingaram. He completed his Bachelor’s degree at Andhra University, Waltair, in 1983 and his Master’s degree at Central University, Hyderabad, in 1990. Rao has participated in several solo and group shows, of which the most recent include those held at Gallery Espace, New Delhi, in 2008 and 2002; and ‘The Deccan Connections’ at Apparao Art Gallery, New Delhi, in 2002; ‘The Human Factor’ at the Guild Gallery, Mumbai, in 2001; and ‘Human Form and Art’ at Lalit Kala Akademi, in 2000. (Profile from Saffron Art)

MF Hussain

The name Maqbool Fida Husain has become almost synonymous with contemporary Indian art, and deservedly so, for no single artist has popularised Indian art, within the country or internationally, as Husain has done. His endless quest for his cultural roots and a fearlessly open-minded willingness to absorb diverse influences has made M.F. Husain one of the most recognizable figures of contemporary Indian art.

Husain began his career by painting billboards for feature films and making furniture designs and toys, to earn a living. When he did take up painting as an art form, however, he returned time and again to his roots, and to themes that blended folk, tribal and mythological art to create vibrantly contemporary, living art forms. His rise as a public figure has as much to do with his style and presentation, as it does with his themes. He depicts the icons of Indian culture, through the ages, seeking to capture the quintessence of his subjects, like Mother Teresa and the characters of epics like the Mahabharata.

Husain was born in 1915 in Pandharpur, Maharashtra. A self-taught artist, he came to Mumbai in 1937, determined to become a painter. In 1948, he was invited by F.N. Souza to join the Progressive Artist's Group, a group formed to explore a new idiom for Indian art. Besides painting, he has also made feature films, such as "Through the Eyes of a Painter", in 1967, which was a Golden Bear Award winner at the Berlin Film Festival, and "Gajagamini" in 2000. The Government of India honoured him with the Padma Bhushan and the Padma Vibhushan awards, both prestigious civilian awards. Husain passed away in London in 2011. (Profile from Saffron Art)