A lifetime of art

An exhibition of Bengal modernist Gobardhan Ash's artworks showcases his diverse range-in form, technique and themes

- NEHA KIRPAL

A new exhibition in Kolkata offers a retrospective of the pioneer Indian modernist artist Gobardhan Ash, offering a glimpse into four decades of his work from 1929 to 1969. Curated by Brijeshwari Kumari Gohil and Harsharan Bakshi, the exhibition showcases more than 100 artworks, featuring Ash's diverse creative range, including sketches, landscapes, self-portraits, portraits, rural Bengal scenes, the iconic Avatar Series from the late 1940s, vibrant pastels from his outdoor studies, and his poignant Children Series, capturing the myriad moods of children.

"Our approach was twofold: to underscore Ash's dedication to each phase and to illuminate the thematic evolution evident in his oeuvre," said Bakshi. "As such, the exhibition primarily adopts a thematic approach, celebrating Ash's enduring commitment across various periods of artistic exploration."

In a year-long research on Ash and his body of work, the curators uncovered the remarkable diversity within each decade, reflecting distinct creative phases in his artistic journey. "Our aim has been to highlight each of his themes, styles and experimentations during these four decades," explained Gohil. "These span from his time being part of and forming various groups and movements. It is a diverse portfolio, ranging from social realism to creative expressionism and experimentation."

Rural Bengal is one of the main themes of Ash's landscape paintings. His famine works in shades of dark and pale brown were painted in different phases in 1943. A skilful portrait artist, he depicted human faces in both line and colour. His Children Series-a collection of 16 oil paintings and 45 sketches painted in oil between 1957 and 1967-stemmed from his fondness for children. His avant-garde Avatar Series, exhibited at the Joint Show of the Calcutta Group and the Progressive Artists' Group in 1950, inspired experimentation and dialogue.