Page 126 - Manifest September 2024

Lot No. 70

T VAIKUNTAM

b. 1942
UNTITLED
38 x 38 in (96.5 x 96.5 cm)
Acrylic on canvas
2020
Signed & Dated: Bottom Right
` 15,00,000 - 25,00,000 | $ 18,293 - 30,488
Provenance: Property from an international collection.
Artwork was acquired by the present owner directly
from the artist

Thota Vaikuntam, born in 1942 in Andhra Pradesh, is
an artist deeply rooted in the culture and traditions of
rural India. In 1970, he earned a Diploma in Painting
from the College of Fine Arts and Architecture in
Hyderabad. The following year, he was awarded the
prestigious Lalit Kala Akademi Fellowship, enabling
him to further his artistic education at M.S. University
in Baroda. This educational journey provided him
with the skills and insights that would later define his
unique artistic style.
A significant aspect of Vaikuntam’s work is his
focus on women. This fascination dates back to his
childhood, when he was captivated by performances
of male dancers and actors who impersonated
female characters. These early experiences had a
lasting impact on him, leading to a large part of his
oeuvre being dedicated to the portrayal of women.
His female subjects are depicted with a sense of
dignity and strength, often shown in traditional attire,
reflecting the cultural richness of his homeland. The
women in his paintings are not just subjects; they are
symbols of the enduring traditions and the resilient
spirit of rural India.