Osian's Auction Catalogue The Osianama Series |February 2013

268 ‘My paintings are a form of protest. When I paint women, I protest against society. Men dominate women in every sphere, and I would like to see a change in their attitude towards women. I am a feminist …I talk to my paintings and my paintings talk back to me. I speak to the women (in my paintings) and ask them to guide my hand. Then they come alive in my art. I do not paint attractive women. But they do have magnetism a nasha. When you look into their eyes you feel drugged. They always have dark, expressive eyes. They are seductive women, but never vulgar.’ – Sunil Das rpt. in Economic Times 1 October 1993. 144 Sunil Das b. 4 August 1939 Confrontation VIII Oil on canvas, 1996 S/d in English ‘Sunil 96’ t.l. S/d in English ‘Sunil 96’ on verso 72.2 x 60.2 in (183.4 x 153.0 cm) Provenance Private Mumbai-based Collection ` 1,000,000 – 2,000,000 US$ 18,180 – 36,360 GBP 12,500 – 25,000 detail