Page 53 - Iconic Master

Lot No. 30

P V JANAKIRAM

1930-1995
UNTITLED
With base: 28 x 16 x 7 in (71 x 40.6 x 17.8 cm)
Oxidized copper
` 10,00,000 - 15,00,000 | $ 12,500 - 18,750
Provenance: Property from a collection based in
Bengaluru. Artwork was acquired by the present
owner from Sara Abraham

Born in 1930, P V Janakiram graduated from the
Government College of Arts and Crafts, Chennai,
earning a Diploma in Fine Arts (Painting) in 1953
and a Diploma in Fine Arts (Sculpture) in 1952.
In 1973, he was awarded an Honorary Diploma
in Sculpture by the Hungarian Government.
A student of K C S Paniker and S Dhanapal,
Janakiram was a key figure in the Madras
Art Movement. Throughout his career, he
developed a distinctive style, using beaten sheet
metal adorned with repoussé work to create
two-dimensional, frontal portrait sculptures.

His art was deeply influenced by the traditional
temple sculptures of South India, particularly the
kavachas-doorway covers made from beaten
metal. Many of his works feature religious icons,
including depictions of figures ranging from
Balaji to Christ.