Page 80 - Manifest September 2024

Lot No. 43

GURCHARAN SINGH

b. 1949
CULTURAL CHAOS (DIPTYCH)
60 x 72 in (152.4 x 183 cm)
Acrylic on canvas
Signed: Bottom Left & Centre (On both panels)
` 20,00,000 - 30,00,000 | $ 24,390 - 36,585
Provenance: Property from a collection based
in Mumbai

Born in 1949 in Patiala, India, Gurcharan Singh is a
celebrated Indian painter known for his outstanding
figurative artworks. He trained at the Government
College of Arts and Crafts in Chandigarh, where he
developed a focus on depicting individuals from
economically disadvantaged backgrounds, with
particular attention to marginalised and exploited
women. Some of his most notable works include The
Red Light in Black and White and Les Miserables.
Throughout his career, Singh delved into the intricate
relationships that shape our world, often using
symbolic representations to explore deeper themes.
One of his signature approaches is the juxtaposition
of animals with prostitutes, a motif that unveils
the primal nature within humanity. Through this
technique, Singh skillfully explores the connection
between animal instincts and human behavior,
inviting the viewer to consider these shared traits on
a more profound level.
Singh has exhibited his work in solo exhibitions
at prestigious galleries in Chandigarh, New Delhi,
Mumbai, Paris, and Canada. He is widely recognised
for his exceptional figurative painting, portraying the
essence of everyday life—capturing men, women,
children, and animals in large-scale, compelling
compositions. His artwork is housed in esteemed
institutions such as the Lalit Kala Akademi and the
National Gallery of Art in New Delhi, as well as India
House in Paris.
Acknowledged for his extraordinary contributions to
art, Gurcharan Singh received the National Award in
1976 and was honored with the Padma Shri by the
Government of India in 1991.