Page 178 - Iconic Masters October2023

Lot No. 147

S H RAZA
1922-2016

NAGAS
31.5 x 16 in (80 x 40.6 cm)
Acrylic on canvas
1989
Signed & Dated: Bottom Centre

` 40,00,000 - 60,00,000 | $ 47,059 - 70,588

Provenance: Property from a collection based in
Mumbai. Artwork was acquired by the present owner
directly from the artist.

This lot will be offered without a reserve.

At the core of S H Raza’s art lies a profound celebration
of nature. His later abstract creations are marked by
the harmonious fusion of geometric forms and spiritual
principles. Frequently, his themes were drawn from the
memories of his childhood spent amidst the lush forests
of his native village in Madhya Pradesh. Raza’s artistic
journey spanning nearly eight decades serves as a
testament to an individual who continually pushed the
boundaries of modern art, challenging not only the art
world but also himself.

In the late 1970s, the artist’s attention shifted
towards pure geometric forms. His images became
improvisations on a fundamental concept: that of
mapping out a metaphorical space within the human
psyche. During this period, the “bindu,” a motif that
would later become synonymous with Raza’s work,
began to emerge. It was the outcome of his deep
contemplation of “pure plastic order” interwoven with
his profound connection to nature. These two facets
converged into a singular point, the bindu, symbolizing
the seed of all life’s potential. It also embodied a visible
form encompassing all the essential elements of line,
tone, colour, texture, and space.

The appearance of the bindu as a solitary and
meditative form marked Raza’s transition into pure
geometric abstraction, which ultimately became the
hallmark of his art in later years. Over the course of his
long and illustrious career, Raza’s works have graced
numerous exhibitions.