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| F. N. Souza (1924 – 2002) |
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Man at Table
13 x 8 in.
Pencil on paper
1959
Estimates: $5,000-7,000 |
Untitled Drawing 2
9.5 x 7 in.
Pencil, pen and ink on paper
ND
Estimates: $4,000-6,000 |
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| Artist Bio |
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Born 1924 in Saligaon, Goa, India.
As one of the original founders of the Progressive Artists' Group in 1947 – along with M.F. Husain, Raza, Ara and others – F. N. Souza led the edge of the Indian modernist art movement. He is widely recognized as a leading modernist, and was the only Indian artist to be included in Tate Modern's group exhibition on 20th Century Modernism in 2002.
Souza's works have reflected the influence of various facets of art: the folk art of his native Goa, the full-blooded paintings of the Renaissance, the religious fervor of the Catholic Church, the landscapes of 18th and 19th century Europe, along with the distinctive work of the Cubists. A recurrent theme in his work is the dichotomy of male/female relationships, with his emphasis upon the related conflicts, friction and sexual tensions. In his drawings, he used line with economy, while still able to capture fine detail in his forms; he also favored a profusion of crosshatched strokes that compose the overall structure of his subject and style.
An iconoclast known for his powerful and provocative imagery, F. N. Souza's unrestrained and graphic style created much controversy in his life and work. His repertoire of subjects covers still life, landscape, nudes and icons of Christianity, boldly rendered in a frenzied distortion of form. Souza's paintings express defiance and impatience with convention and the banality of everyday life.
In 1942, Souza was expelled from the J.J. School of Art for partaking in the 'Quit India' movement. He left for London in 1949, making his mark on the European art scene and rose to fame with his 1955 solo show at Gallery One, London – the same year his autobiographical essay Nirvana of a Maggot was published. In 1967, he migrated to New York where he received the Guggenheim International Award.
Died 2002 in Mumbai (Bombay), India
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