Osian's Auction Catalogue Indian Modern and Contemporary Art | March 2008

79 54 Jogen Chowdhury (b.1939) His Master’s Leopard Initials present In Bengali ‘Jo’ l.l. and dated in Bengali ‘1988’ l.l. Dated in Bengali ‘8.10.88’ u.r. Signed in Bengali ‘Jogen’ on verso. Pastel and Ink on paper, 1988 10.7 x 14.6 in (27.2 x 37.1 cm) INR 3,600,000 – 4,800,000 USD 90,000 – 120,000 53 Bikash Bhattacharjee (1940 – 2006) Miss T. in Social Gathering S/d in English ‘Bikash 78’, l.r. Titled on verso ‘Miss T in social gathering’ Oil on canvas, 1978 29.9 x 24 in (75.9 x 61.0 cm) INR 4,800,000 – 6,000,000 USD 120,000 – 150,000 “Bikash is concerned about the real world of urban India, especially about the quality of life in urban India. But the reality of that world is not immediately perceptible, nor the human meaning of that reality. A few years back Bikash used to apprehend that meaning in form of macabre drama…Bikash now evaluates the socially-politically prescribed roles and behaviours of individuals in terms of emotional effects these non-voluntary and self destructive compulsions create. Bikash objectifies his apprehension of the bizarre reality behind the glamorous appearances, in terms not equal to, but similar to the phenomenal appearances. So that, the difference as well as the dialectical relations between the appearances and the reality becomes evident, with emotional upshot of the situation playing the crucial mediational and communicational roles.” Pranabranjan Ray rpt. in Bikash Bhattacharjee Dhoomi Mal Gallery ExC 1979. “His [Jogen Chowdhury]…work in pastel, crayon and ink are characterized by figures made up of a network of fine patternings held in by nervous, shivering outlines, and sensitised by slow, spreading, waxy stains of colour. Signifiers of an attitude or a comment on human relationships and the state of the socio-political milieu with all its hypocrisies and posturings, they are yet drawn with a certain affection and humanism…The compositions are rhythmic and balanced, and the forms stylised and ultimately graceful. Exercises in movement, clarity and restraint, each form is acutely observed yet lyrically rendered.” Kamala Kapoor, rpt. in Watercolours: A Broader Spectrum 1- The Wry and Ragged Edge. Gallery Chemould ExC 1995. 54