Page 229 - AstaGuru Modern Odyssey

Lot No. 176

B PRABHA
1933 - 2001

UNTITLED
38.4 x 44.3 in (97.5 x 112.5 cm)
Oil on canvas
1987
Signed & Dated: Bottom Right

` 20,00,000 - 30,00,000 | $ 24,390 - 36,585

Provenance: Property from a collection based
in New Delhi.

B. Prabha, a pioneering woman artist of her time,
cemented her status as a leading figure in Indian
modern art. Born in 1933 in a Maharashtra village,
she initiated her artistic journey at the Nagpur School
of Arts and further honed her skills at Mumbai’s
prestigious J.J. School of Art. In an era when Indian
modernism sought connection with audiences,
Prabha carved her niche, diverging from conventions.
Unlike the Progressives, she embraced a distinctive
style that delved into uncharted territories.

Experimenting with various mediums before settling
on oil, she explored diverse themes, from landscapes
to pressing societal issues like drought and hunger.
Prabha’s mastery lies in capturing human emotions
through her brushstrokes, evident in her adept use
of colours and nuanced compositions. Her artworks,
often blending warm tones, evoke a sense of
familiarity and nostalgia. Through her paintings,
Prabha effectively conveyed universal emotions
and struggles that transcend boundaries, leaving an
indelible mark on the landscape of Indian art.