Subramanyan’s art reflects upon his various encounters with different art mediums and the practices of the west along with incorporating elements from vernacular art. In the above painting, the artist depicts a household scene with multiple perspectives. Subramanyan's work often alludes to a cubist idiom. It bears an inscription, signed 'Mani' along the lower margin of the paintings. It is now exhibited in the National Gallery of Modern Art, New Delhi.
- Identifier
- ngma-16053
- Material
- Watercolour, Paper
- Note
- Kalpathi Ganpathi Subramanyan was born on 15th February, 1924, in Kuthuparambu in North Kerala. In 1944, Subramanyan went to Kala Bhavan, Santiniketan, to study under the apprenticeship of Benodebehari Mukherjee, Nandalal Bose and Ramkinkar Baij. He then in 1955 under the British Council Research Fellowship, went to Slade School of Art at the University of London (where he developed a strong inclination towards printmaking) Subramanayan was known among his contemporaries and peers for his familiarity and his ability to work with diverse media such as iron sheets, watercolour, gouache, oil, acrylic, relief murals on panels, fabrics and terracotta. These qualities were nurtured by him through an invigorating study of the works of Ananda Coomarswamy, known for advocating cultural resurgence in the post-independence era and instilling pride in the country's heritage. The larger cultural perspective (depicted) in his work suggests the contemporary life and reality that surrounded him. His work also suggests insightful links with the European context of modernism with an added awareness of the varied legacies of Indian tradition and the complexities of the Indian present; and is further enriched through his understanding of other performing arts. Subramanyan taught as a Professor in painting in Faculty of Fine Arts, Baroda and also served as their Dean from 1968-74. He went back to teach in Kala Bhavan, Santiniketan in the Painting Department in 1980. In 1989, he was designated as a Professor Emeritus of Visva Bharati. Subramanyan's work has travelled and exhibited in solo shows as well as in joint ventures all over the world. Subramanyan has authored many books on art and also illustrated and authored fictional stories for children. K. G. Subramanyan was honoured with Padma Vibhushan in 2012, Padma Bhushan in 2006 and Padma Shri in 1975 by the President of India.
- Pages
- 14 x 10 cm
- Published in
- India
- Type
- Painting
