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Lot Essay
"Often when I am half-awake or asleep, I see these familiar figures and realize once again the truth that they are within me. My art is a mere expression of these feelings. [...] Art to me is an intensely emotional personal experience, because it comes from deep within my being." (Artist Statement, et's Paint the Sky Red Vadehra, New Delhi, 2011, p. 49)
Manjit Bawa's paintings draw on the tradition of Indian miniatures and Hindu mythological scenes though applied to large scale. His subjects float freely in a dreamlike state against a brightly colored background, seemingly removed from time and space. He allows his viewers to develop a willing suspension of disbelief and engage with his fantastic and imaginative perspective.
Bawa was deeply connected to his work, often painting miniaturized versions of his large scale paintings to keep for himself as mementoes. These jewel-toned works brings him back to his source of inspiration and the tradition from which he draws. They have become an important part of Bawa's oeuvre and have been exhibited Bose Pacia Gallery, New York (2000) and a group of them are currently on view at the Kiran Nader Museum of Art, New Delhi.
Manjit Bawa's paintings draw on the tradition of Indian miniatures and Hindu mythological scenes though applied to large scale. His subjects float freely in a dreamlike state against a brightly colored background, seemingly removed from time and space. He allows his viewers to develop a willing suspension of disbelief and engage with his fantastic and imaginative perspective.
Bawa was deeply connected to his work, often painting miniaturized versions of his large scale paintings to keep for himself as mementoes. These jewel-toned works brings him back to his source of inspiration and the tradition from which he draws. They have become an important part of Bawa's oeuvre and have been exhibited Bose Pacia Gallery, New York (2000) and a group of them are currently on view at the Kiran Nader Museum of Art, New Delhi.