Osian's Auction Catalogue Select Masterpieces of Indian Modern and Contemporary Art | June 2009

89 40 Baiju Parthan (b.1956) Deontology – Arrival of the knowledge self Acrylic on canvas, 2007 S/d in English ‘Baiju Parthan 2007’ t.r. and on verso 71.7 x 71.6 in (182.3 x 182.0 cm) Inscribed in English ‘DEONTOLOGY -ARRIVAL OF THE KNOWLEDGE SELF, ACRYLIC 6ft X 6ft’ on verso INR 4,000,000 – 5,000,000 USD 83,330 – 104,170 Exhibition Reference ‘Liquid Memory + Rant: Recent works by Baiju Parthan’, Vadehra Art Gallery, New Delhi, 2007 “This particular series ‘deontology’ was reflection upon the faceless individual soldier who while in the field is duty bound to perpetrate acts that would be considered atrocities in everyday life. This whole series was about the ethical and moral fallout of these activities once this individual returns to normal everyday life. Along with that there is the known and documented phenomenon of the occurrence of life transforming epiphanies to such individual soldiers in the extremely life threatening and stressful conditions. I have tried to reflect upon these issues in this particular series. This particular work shows a soldier running across a field, either in pursuit or being pursued accompanied by his shadow selves. The painting tries to generate visual depth through layering of imagery and data rather than using perspectival approach. The intention is to suggest an inner idea space rather than a physical space informed by linear perspective.” – Baiju Parthan