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There are probably two desires that haunts every
artist at one point of time. The first of this is the wish to find
an
original style
of expression as it is
only an original style which can distinguish a genius from an
average artist. Though no artist can claim to be absolutely
original, yet there are a few artists in India who have made a place
in the field of art by their distinct signature styles. One can
never fail to recognize for example a Jamini Roy or a Hemen Majumdar
of the yesteryear or a Raza, Hussain, Satish Gujral, or
Bikash Bhattacharya of our times. And now
among the artists of Bengal, we have people like
Paresh Maiti and
Devajyoti Ray
, who have succeeded in developing their unique styles of art
beyond the confines of mediocrity. Not only are the styles of
these young artists quite distinctive, they are often quite difficult
also to imitate.
The second desire that haunts an artist apart
from the desire to innovate an original style of art is the wish to
strike upon a
motif
which can distinguish ones art
from the rest. Though finding a motif is not as difficult as finding a
style, yet motifs have often acted so well as catalysts of artistic
expression, that they have become style-statements for many important
artists. Below are some of the commonly used motifs in the works of
important artists of Bengal and outside.
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Sunil Das, probably India’s most important post-modern expressionist
was
born in the year 1939. He joined the
Government
College of Arts and Crafts
, Calcutta in 1955, then won a
French Government Scholarship to study at the Ecole National des Beaux
Arts in Paris. Later he joined Government service for the Ministry of
textiles and since then continued art and official work simultaneously
holding important positions like Member of Purchase Committee for
National Art Exhibition
of 1979, and Miniature Format Exhibition 0f 1980, Jury for Hyderabad
State Akademi, Committee member of 5th Triennale India in 1982 as also
member of the General Council of the Lalit Kala Akademi, New Delhi |
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Sunil Das had also been
a prolific organiser and like
Ganesh
Paine and
Bikash Bhattacharya
had been a member of the
Society of Contemporary Artists
, Kolkata, member de
la Societe des Muses Nationale d' Art Moderne, Paris, etc.
Sunil Das’s style of
work is very original and shows no specific influence. He had
risen to fame like
MF Hussain
with his
paintings of horses. Like Hussain, Sunil Das was inspired by the force
and the strength of the moving horse. Later after his visit to Spain, Das
was caught up with the other animal: the bull. The horses and the bull
have appeared more than 7000 times in Das’s works. He has otherwise
painted haunting pictures of women thereby revealing the dark side of
people who are otherwise considered beautiful.
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A woman in her failings
(oil on canvas) and horses in motion (charcoal) : two of Sunil Das's
regular styles |
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Medium
and Technique of paintings
Das is effective in most
media, though his major works are serigrapghy,
conte, and
oil on
canvas
. His style involves the
quick use of the brush and pen to get a dynamic effect potent with
power. Das does not show much influence of any other artist. His style
is very original.
Major
Themes
Horses and Bulls running,
in motion are the major themes in Das’s works. The other
recurring theme is the woman with a dark face, haunted and
haunting to the viewer. Das has also experimented with his
self potratits in
colourful strokes
.
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