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Laxman Pai
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"I have an infatuation with natural beauty and I believe human beings cannot survive by abusing their natural surroundings."
This philosophy embodies the whole of Laxman Pai s work and life. His canvases are densely populated with nature in all her moods, and his human characters are always depicted in relation with their environment. Not that he disregards the importance of human beings in the scheme of things. As he himself puts...
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"I have an infatuation with natural beauty and I believe human beings cannot survive by abusing their natural surroundings."
This philosophy embodies the whole of Laxman Pai s work and life. His canvases are densely populated with nature in all her moods, and his human characters are always depicted in relation with their environment. Not that he disregards the importance of human beings in the scheme of things. As he himself puts it, "You cannot be prejudiced in your expression. I am not, as you will see a lot of human presence in my paintings. They provide a verbal texture to the theme."
Born in 1926 in Goa, Pai grew up in surroundings of surpassing beauty that fed his artistic ambitions. Following his muse, he came to the Sir J. J. School of Arts in Mumbai and from there went on to Paris, the Mecca of art to complete his education. His early years were spent in British India during the struggle for freedom in which he played an active part. These formative years shaped his attitude towards life and his work, leading to a highly individualistic and innovative style. Critical and observant, Pai translated his visual impressions into paintings that have an immediate impact. "I am my own Guru. I have taken things from others, but have made them my own," says Pai.
All of Pai's art is a reflection of his impressions and it is free from any commentary. "I do not waste my time in social gatherings and gossip. I listen to others, but I do not argue. By arguing, I do not want to defend myself. My reactions are based on an indirect motivation to paint my feelings. There is no physical involvement and the expression is backed up by a tremendous mental application. My works do not preach a moral. They are spiritual impressions," explains Pai.
Most of his work is based on chance encounters and experiences that have left a mark on his mind be it good or evil. His earlier paintings borrowed generously from ancient Egyptian sculptures with bodies that were portrayed front on with the faces in profile. As time went on, the figures became more rounded and well defined with a decreasing use of geometry. By the 60s, his style had evolved into forms that flowed into each other on the canvas, giving them a radiant vitality.
The vibrant hues that are so characteristic of his art got bolder and brighter with each painting reminiscent of the miniatures of early Indian art. According to him, "The bold and sensational colours set my narrative into a pitch of intensity. The other things are also given colour and significance by the degree to which they reflect and dramatise the theme in tone and texture. I have used figurative drawings in a convincing manner in their folk sensibility. The brush stokes are bold and cut across the contours of the linear figures in a pivotal motion."
A painter who did not like dull colours, Pai has created a body of work that is as diverse and colourful as life itself.
The artist passed away on 14th March 2021.
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Born
January 21, 1926
Madgaon, Goa
Died
March 14, 2021
Dona Paula, Goa
Education
1951 Ecole des Beaux Arts, Paris
1943-47 Diploma in Painting, Sir J.J .School of Art, Mumbai
Exhibitions
Selected Solo Exhibitions
2006 ‘Pai in Paris – Early Works’,...
Selected Solo Exhibitions
2006 ‘Pai in Paris – Early Works’, Delhi Art Gallery, New Delhi
2005 ‘My Family Tree and Flowering Tree’, Dhoomimal Art Gallery, New Delhi
2001 ‘Tree of Life and Spring Flowers’, Fresco Gallery, Lalit Kala Akademi, New Delhi
2001 ‘Srinagar Faces – 2000’, Dhoomimal Art Gallery, New Delhi
2001 Rabindra Bhavan, Lalit Kala Akademi, New Delhi
2000 ‘Recent Paintings by Laxman Pai’, Dhoomimal Art Gallery, New Delhi
1999 ‘My Search, My Evolution’, Kalart Gallery, San Francisco, USA
1998 ‘Kaama-Krodha-Moha-Moksha Series’, Dhoomimal Art Gallery, New Delhi
1997 ‘Kaarma and Fantasies Series’, Dhoomimal Art Gallery, New Delhi
1995 ‘Jeevanotsav Series’, Dhoomimal Art Gallery, New Delhi
1995 ‘Jeevanotsav Series Show - Retrospective’, Rabindra Bhavan, Lalit Kala Akademi, New Delhi
1994 ‘Purush Prakriti in Kamasutra’, Dhoomimal Art Gallery, New Delhi
1993 ‘Festival of Seasons’, Shridharani Gallery, New Delhi
1991 ‘Navrasa Series’, Shridharani Gallery, New Delhi
1989 ‘Faces and Flowers’, Dhoomimal Art Gallery, New Delhi
1989 ‘Navarasa’, Shridharani Gallery, New Delhi
1987 Chetna Art Gallery, Mumbai
1985 ‘Images of Goa’, Dhoomimal Art Gallery, New Delhi
1983 ‘Rajasthan Series’, Jehangir Art Gallery, Mumbai
1982 Organized by Institute Menezes Braganza, Institute Gallery, Panaji, Goa
1981 Organized by Institute Menezes Braganza, Institute Gallery, Panaji, Goa
1981 Jehangir Art Gallery, Mumbai
1979 Organized by Institute Menezes Braganza, Institute Gallery, Panaji, Goa
1979 Dhoomimal Art Gallery, New Delhi
1977 Max Mueller Bhavan, Mumbai
1976 Dhoomimal Art Gallery, New Delhi
1975 ‘Kangra Valley’, Kumar Gallery, New Delhi
1973 ‘Human Forms Series’, Jehangir Art Gallery, Mumbai
1972 ‘Ramayana 1971’, Taj Art Gallery, Mumbai
1971 Kumar Gallery, New Delhi
1970 Meyer Gallery, Singapore
1970 National Art Gallery, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
1970 Silpakorn University, in association with Indian Embassy, Bangkok
1970 Kumar Gallery, New Delhi
1968 Shridharani Gallery, New Delhi
1968 ‘Dance Forms’, Taj Art Gallery, Mumbai and Kolkata
1967 ‘Dance Forms and Selection 1947-67’, All India Fine Arts and Crafts Society (AIFACS), New Delhi
1966 ‘Purusha and Prakriti’, Shridharani Gallery, New Delhi and Mumbai
1966 ‘Kashmir Portraits’, Gallery Chemould, Mumbai
1965 ‘Kashmir Portraits’, Dhoomimal Art Gallery, New Delhi
1965 ‘Musical Moods’, paintings inspired by Indian Ragas, Kunika Art Centre, New Delhi and Taj Art Gallery, Mumbai
1964 Shridharani Gallery, New Delhi
1964 Taj Art Gallery, Mumbai
1963 ‘Ritusamhara’, inspired by Kalidasa’s play based on English Text by the late Ranjit Pandit, Raj Bhavan and Roopa Art Gallery, Mumbai
1962 Kunika Art Centre, New Delhi
1961 ‘Exhibition of Paintings on Silk’, Boulevard Maleshebes, Paris
1961 ‘Le Printemps’, Galerie d’ Arts, Paris
1960 ‘La Vie De Bouddha’, Galerie du Colisee, Paris
1959 Galerie Dauphine, Paris
1959 ‘The Life of the Buddha’, exhibition of Colored Etching Series, Palais Dauphine, Paris and St. George’s Gallery, London
1958 ‘Ramayana and Life of Mahatma Gandhi’, Galerie de l’ Alliance, Mumbai and New Delhi
1957 Palais Dauphine, Paris.
1957 Galerie Gurlitt, Munich.
1956 `Images de Goa`, Galerie Prismes, Rue Monsieur Le Prince, Paris Le Prince, Paris.
1955 Galerie Marcel Bernheim, Paris.
1954 Galerie R. Duncan, Paris.
1954 Alliance Francaise, Mumbai
1953 All India Fine Arts and Crafts Society (AIFACS), New Delhi
1953 Galerie W. Gurlitt, Munich.
1953 Rue St. Placide, Paris.
1952 Galerie Beaux- Arts, London.
1952 Galerie Raymond Duncan, Paris.
1952 Rue de Sein, Paris.
1950 Bombay Art Society, Mumbai
Retrospective Exhibitions
1989 ‘Retrospective’, sponsored by Kumar Gallery at Rabindra Bhavan, Lalit Kala Akademi, New Delhi
1987 ‘Retrospective 1947-87’, sponsored by Kala Academy for Goa, Diu and Daman, Panaji
1962 ‘Retrospective 1948-62’, Jehangir Art Gallery, Mumbai
1955 Retrospective 1945-55, sponsored by Congress for Cultural, Paintings on ‘Geet Govinda’, Sanskrit poem of XII century, Paris
Selected Group Exhibitions
2011 ‘Manifestations V', Delhi Art Gallery, New Delhi
2011 'Masterclass', Dhoomimal Art Gallery, New Delhi
1991 ‘Masters’, organized by Vadehra Art Gallery at Jehangir Art Gallery, Mumbai
Joint Exhibitions
1949 With S. Palsikar, Bombay Art Society, Mumbai
Participations
2013 'The Naked and the Nude: The Body in Indian Modern Art', Delhi Art Gallery, New Delhi
2011 'Ethos V: Indian Art Through the Lens of History (1900 to 1980), Indigo Blue Art, Singapore
2011 ‘Manifestations VI', Delhi Art Gallery, New Delhi
2010 'Manifestations IV', Delhi Art Gallery, New Delhi
2005 ‘Manifestations III’, Delhi Art Gallery, New Delhi
2004 ‘Manifestations II’, Delhi Art Gallery, New Delhi
2003 ‘Manifestations I’, Delhi Art Gallery, New Delhi
1963 Tokyo Biennale, Japan
1963 Sao Paulo Biennale, Brazil
1961 Biennale de Paris, France
Honours and Awards
1995 Nehru Award, Goa.
1987 Honored by Government of Goa.
1985 Awarded Padma Shri, Government of India
1972 National Award, Kangra Portraits Show, New Delhi
1961,63 National Award, Lalit Kala Akademi
1947 Received Mayo Medal
1995 Nehru Award, Goa.
1987 Honored by Government of Goa.
1985 Awarded Padma Shri, Government of India
1972 National Award, Kangra Portraits Show, New Delhi
1961,63 National Award, Lalit Kala Akademi
1947 Received Mayo Medal
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