Commemorating 75 years of Bombay’s Progressive Artists’ Group: A preview

M.F. Hussain’s Final Supper
| Photograph Credit score: Particular Association

Within the annals of Indian artwork historical past, one group stands out for the indelible mark it left on the artistic panorama. The Progressive Artists’ Group, shaped in 1947, revolutionized the artwork scene in Trendy India. Because the group completes 75 years, an exhibition showcasing the works of its six authentic members — Maqbool Fida Husain, Sayed Haider Raza, Francis Newton Souza, Krishnaji Howlaji Ara, Sadanand Okay. Bakre, and Hari Ambadas Gade, is on on the Triveni Kala Sangam.

In a collaborative effort of the Progressive Artwork Gallery and Raza Basis, the exhibition goals to make folks conscious of the outstanding artworks of the legendary artists and remind the artwork world of the weather that went into the creation of the historic group. Spanning many years the gathering provides a glimpse of the creative evolution throughout time. The artworks have been apparently not appreciated initially however as artwork consciousness grew, they have been wanted.

“The Progressive Art Gallery has the artworks from the 1940s till 2010”, says Geeti Sen, who conceptualised the exhibition. 

Husain’s Mom Teresa
| Photograph Credit score:
Particular Association

The attention-catching shows on the exhibition embody Husain’s Mom Teresa from the Eighties, which was a results of his fascination for the Nobel Prize profitable founding father of the Missionaries of Charity, andThe Final Supper (2005).

Raza was the one landscapist within the group. His Gol Gummad ( 1943) is influenced by European artwork, introducing Islamic domes and turrets in tranquil blues and cream. His later works reworked into abstraction.  Bakre’s Nonetheless Life in 1964 vibrates with totally different shapes of bottles in blue, white and pink, together with the chequered sample in black and white of the ground beneath the desk.

What set aside the galaxy of extraordinary abilities within the Progressive Artists’ Group was not solely their creative prowess but in addition the outstanding variety inside the group. Two Muslims, one Christian, and three Hindus, transcended the obstacles of caste, creed, and faith at a time when the nation was in a state of communal disharmony. . The Progressives held their first exhibition in Baroda and subsequently in Bombay in 1949.

Raza’s Gol Gummaz
| Photograph Credit score:
Particular Association

The artists embraced numerous influences, making a tapestry of creative kinds and strategies. Every member was rooted within the Indian ethos whereas incorporating components of European modernism, post-impressionism, cubism, and expressionism. Okay.H. Ara’s vibrant watercolors and gouache work paid homage to people and tribal artwork, whereas F.N. Souza distorted types, seamlessly merging Goan people artwork with cubist components. H.A. Gade, acknowledged as one of many pioneers of summary portray in post-independent India, explored landscapes in his artworks. 

The group was disbanded in 1956 however the artists remained lifelong associates, exchanging essential insights and supporting one another’s creative journeys. Krishen Khanna, the only real surviving member, continues to create artwork on the age of 90plus. 

At Triveni Kala Sangam, Until July 10; 11am to 8pm