Page 140 - AstaGuru Masters Legacy April 2024

Bhupen Khakhar’s 1960s

Other works from

the decade

Khakhar’s mixed media and oil on board creation circa
1950 titled ‘Hanuman’ is his version of presenting
the deity as done in the villages of India. The imagery
resembles statues which are found ubiquitously
under Banyan trees in the hinterland of India. These
sacred statues are made by villagers out of mud and
the colouring agent is a mix of Sindoor (cinnabar)
infused with oil which is then poured over the sacred
relic. The artist’s brings this work to life by adding an
expressionist narrative, none the less he maintains
the ritualistic essence by projecting the colouring
concoction still dripping.

Bhupen was a late bloomer in the art spectrum. He
realised his inclination towards creating art owing to the
dissatisfaction his chartered accountancy profession RED GANESH/TEA SHOP INTERIOR OF A HINDU HOUSE - I INTERIOR OF A MUSLIM HOUSE NO.1
aroused. His journey in this field began with a course in 34.8 x 30.6 in (88.3 x 77.8 cm) 30.1 x 24.1 in (76.5 x 61.4 cm) 36 x 30 in (91.4 x 76.2 cm)
art criticism from the M S University in Baroda. Collage and mixed media on board, 1965 Oil, mirror, collage and mixed media on canvas, 1965 Collage and mixed media on canvas, 1965

PAN SHOP NO. 1 INTERIOR OF A TEMPLE WALL OF A SMALL HINDU TEMPLE INTRODUCTION OF HINDU TEMPLE II
33 x 33 in (83.8 x 83.8 cm) 48 x 47.8 in (121.9 x 121.3 cm) 29 x 35 in (73.6 x 88.9 cm) 67.5 x 59.7 in (171.5 x 151.5 cm)
Oil and collage on canva, 1965 Mixed media on board, 1965 Collage and mixed media on board, 1966 Mixed media and collage on board