Osian's Auction Catalogue India The Passionate Detachment | February 2001

91 PHILOSOPHICAL FRAMEWORK 50 PRABHAKAR BARWE (1936 - 95) Canvas & Colours S/d in English on reverse. Oil on canvas, 1989 120.2 x 136 cm. (47.3 x 53.5”) “Whilst searching for purity, the first thing that is realised is the impurity within one’s own self. The impurity suggests the presence of all kinds of confusion within the mind. At every stage there is hesitation, uncertainty. In fact, only that which comes to the mind first should be done, as all ideas arising later result from some such compromise or other. In this context, it can be seen and accepted that spontaneity alone is purity. Only when a kind of ’playfulness’ exists, spontaneity can come into being. Basically, this kind of ’playfulness’ exists in all our minds, only, in the course of the day-to-day worldly dealings, this tendency withdraws and various kinds of confusion arise in its place; to obtain anything ’pure’ from such confusion is impossible”. (P.Barwe, 07.11.1991, rpt. in Gallery Chemould ExC. 1992 ). PAPR Lot 118 Ch Lon/ 05.10.99 Blown Hourglass Enamel on canvas 91.4 x 106.7 cm. ASP: £ 2,990 /Rs. 215,280 (£1 = Rs. 72) Rs. 375,000 - 450,000 $ 7,980 - 9,575