Page 116 - Contemporary Indian Art

Lot No. 91

Ashim Purkayastha
b. 1967

INDIA SHINING
72 x 59.5 in (182.9 x 151.1 cm)
Mixed media on canvas
Signed: Verso

` 8,00,000 – 12,00,000 | $ 9,877 - 14,815

Contemporary artist Ashim Purkayastha was
born in Digboi, Assam in 1967. Born to a family of
Bengali refugees, he spent a large part of his early
years in the oil town witnessing the depletion of the
environment, unemployment, pollution and the
dying arts. This would lead him to become politically
engaged, resulting in the captivating artworks we
see today. His interest in art then led him to study
at Santiniketan, where he met and studied under
renowned artist Jogen Chowdhury. Here, he
explored folk traditions and further studied pop
art, the influences of which can be seen throughout
his artistic career. Purkayastha then had a short
stint in Baroda, after which he moved to New Delhi.

His works are known to be political and social
commentaries as he identifies as being a social
activist alongside being an artist. With a deep
interest in investigating the India of everyday,
through his art he delves headfirst into the subjects
of national identity and society. Although his stint
in Santiniketan allowed him reprieve from what
bothered him, the issues of Assam soon found
place in his canvases as he travelled the country.
The artist’s perspective and skills lend a poetry
to what would otherwise be dry and analytical
subjects. Amongst his most well-known works
are those depicting Mahatma Gandhi through
Purkayastha’s unique lens and his work with
revenue stamps. One can see an amalgamation of
the two in the presented lot.