Important Notice

Lot 133

Altaf is largely known for his issue-based paintings. Underlying the artist`s images is a sense of unease and concern about the social situation; the communication of this is a major consideration for this sensitive artist.

Born in 1942 in Baroda, Gujarat, Altaf studied art at various colleges in England. During his college days, he was an active member of students’ organizations that protested against the US invasion of Vietnam. When... Altaf is largely known for his issue-based paintings. Underlying the artist`s images is a sense of unease and concern about the social situation; the communication of this is a major consideration for this sensitive artist.

Born in 1942 in Baroda, Gujarat, Altaf studied art at various colleges in England. During his college days, he was an active member of students’ organizations that protested against the US invasion of Vietnam. When he returned to India after completing his art studies, he joined a progressive affiliate to the leftists, Progressive Youth Movement (PROYOM).

Altaf’s interest in painting took shape in his boarding school, Sindhya School, Gwalior, under the tutelage of art instructor Niyogi. His elder sister and noted painter Nasreen also encouraged him to take up painting. He recalls, `She used to call me to her studio at the then Bhulabhai Desai Institute to paint when she was not using it. I felt like an artist then with the likes of Husain and Gaitonde also working in the same premises.`

Though he was brought up in an affluent family he was greatly inspired by Marxist ideologies. His family tried to get him involved in the family business in Bahrain. Realizing that he was inclined more towards art, he was later sent me to St Martins, London to study art. No surprise that Altaf’s early work, until the mid-80s was inspired by leftist beliefs. He explains: `I could interpret my ideological thoughts through my work.`

Altaf’s choice of themes that translate into the usage of dark colors and contrasts mark his style. Painting is not Altaf’s only identity. Not limiting himself to his studio and refusing to restrict himself to his canvas, Altaf strives to reach out to the masses, especially the suffering class of society. His work reflects their angst and miseries.

His work was largely shaped by the experiences during his youth. As mentioned above, Altaf went to England to study art in the 1960s, and when he returned to India, a surcharged atmosphere greeted him. As he recounts the country then was passing through a political upheaval; many leftist and radical movements were clamoring for a new social order. Those experiences deeply influenced his work.

In fact, the painter in Altaf has never superseded the activist in him. To bring his work closer to the masses, he showed his work in college campuses, in labor camps, at pavement galleries and even in slum areas of Mumbai with help from the Progressive Youth Movement (PROYOM). Till the mid-seventies, he was involved in making posters for social causes. He also conducted educational projects titled ‘Freedom Struggle: 1857-1957’ and ‘History of India through the Arts’.

In keeping with his commitment to the social cause, Altaf exhibited his works outside the Union Carbide factory on the first anniversary of the Bhopal gas tragedy in 1985. He has participated in several exhibitions held for social causes like Art for Cry (1988), Artist Alert sponsored by SAHMAT in New Delhi (1989) and a show in aid of the Latur earthquake victims (1993).

He began exhibiting by 1970 and has held several exhibitions since then in India and abroad. Apart from several solo exhibitions in India, he has participated in several shows in India and abroad. Among the important solo exhibitions and group shows he has participated are ‘The Creative Process` at The Guild, Mumbai (1999), `Artists from India and Pakistan` at Martini Gallery, Hong Kong (1998), Glenbarra Art Museum Collection at NGMA, New Delhi (1997), solo show at New Delhi (1996), VIth Painting Biennial at Bharat Bhavan, Bhopal (1996), ‘A view from the edge’ at Sakshi Gallery, Mumbai (1995), solo show at Jehangir Art Gallery, Mumbai (1994, 1991), Small Format at Sakshi Gallery, Mumbai (1993), an exhibition in aid of Latur earthquake victims at Baroda (1993), Yesterday` Group exhibition of vintage drawings, Mumbai (1990), Art Plaza, Mumbai (1989) and Retrospective at Jehangir Art Gallery, Mumbai (1988).

By the mid-eighties, his work became more personalized. Death was a recurring theme in his paintings. He did the Hospital series and self-portraits in the ’80s and ’90s. He has also done ‘The Curtain Series’, ‘Landscape’ and ‘The Wrestler Series’.

Altaf, who turned 60 on August 18 in the year 2002, presented an exhibition, titled ‘Altaf in Retrospective’, at Sakshi Gallery, Mumbai. The exhibition comprised around 100 works done over four decades by the artist. He says, `I have slowed down a lot in my working process. I don’t think I will be looking at a solo exhibition after this. I will continue participating in group shows, though.`

He adds to say, `I am interested in expressing human emotions.` Though personal, Altaf’s works are never cut off from the social milieu. His works on the Afghan war and Gujarat carnage are a testimony to this. Altaf believes he still has not exploited the canvas fully and still lot remains to be explored and expressed for him as a painter. Altaf passed away in 2005.

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