Lot 106: A. RAMACHANDRAN (b. India 1935)

Untitled
signed and dated lower right: Ramachandran 1999 and marked with the artist's seal in red
watercolour on paper mounted on paperboard
Folio: 26 1/8 x 20 1/4 in. (66.5 x 51.5 cm.); Image: 24 1/2 x 19 in. (62.2 x 48.5 cm.)

A. Ramachandran's artistic career has been marked by his search for a truly indigenous idiom of expression. From the 1980's onward, he travelled to the Rajasthan shifting his previous urban focus to depict aspects of tribal culture. Evoking the intricate and carpet like design of Indian miniature painting, the stylized forms of Ramachandran's figures mimic the patterns found both in their natural landscape and in the textiles they employ. This stylistic convergence of design, body and setting gives Ramachandran's work a strong sense of unity and rhythm. In this painting, the artist shows his mastery of watercolour allowing for a range of saturation in his hue while preserving the crisp feeling of his line. Ramachandran's playful attitude is further revealed by the insertion of his likeness. The visual pun gives him a "bird's eye" view of his beloved landscape.