Manjit Bawa

Manjit Bawa, an Indian artist, was known for his luminous works on canvas representing a distinctive exploration of color, form, and space, inviting viewers into an intimate experience of the artist's world.

Manjit Bawa Artist's Path: A Journey of Color and Spirituality

Manjit Bawa's biography is a testament to a life dedicated to blending spiritual themes with vivid, colorful expressions. He was born in 1941 in India. Encouraged by his elder brothers, he pursued art and studied fine arts at the College of Art, New Delhi between 1958 and 1963.

He furthered his studies with a diploma in silk screen painting from the Warden Institute of Essex, England, in 1967,  and served as a printmaker in London from 1967 to 1971. Upon returning to India, fellow artist Jagdish Swaminathan invited him to establish a printmaking department. Manjit Bawa's prints were experimental as he played with shapes and bold backgrounds, elements that would later define his unique style as a painter.

Bawa achieved a breakthrough in the early 1980s. Rebelling against his art school influences, he finally developed a distinct figural style that set him apart from other artists.

During his career, the artist received numerous awards and accolades, including the Sailoz Prize (1963) and the National Award from the Lalit Kala Akademi (1980). 

The artist resided in Delhi with his wife and children. He passed away in 2008 at the age of 67, following a three-year coma resulting from a stroke. Manjit Bawa left behind a profound legacy of works that have been showcased at various galleries and museums worldwide, including Vadehra Art Gallery, Aicon Gallery, Anant Art Gallery, and Kiran Nadar Museum of Art, among other esteemed venues. 

Manjit Bawa paintings: Exploring Myth and Magic

Paintings by Manjit Bawa are distinguished by their palette. He used the ochre of sunflowers, the green of paddy fields, the red of the sun, and the blue of mountain skies. He was among the pioneers who moved away from prevailing grays and browns, embracing traditional Indian hues such as pinks, reds, and violets.

He incorporated Indian mythology and Sufi philosophy into his vibrant paintings, depicting Hindu deities like Kali and Shiva, animals, and natural landscapes. Manjit Bawa's artwork explored themes of harmonious coexistence between humans and animals.

His early prints explored bold shapes against stark backgrounds, elements that would become hallmarks of his paintings. He also drew inspiration from his studies of Rajput and Pahari miniatures, using these influences to transform free-floating forms into the figures that would later define his work.

His figures inhabit a world of paradox. Defined by the simplicity of line and form, they exist within a canvas where subtle gradations of color and masterful chiaroscuro create a stage. This dramatic backdrop amplifies the vulnerability and ethereality of his figures, as the striking color fields seem to render them weightless.

Towards the end of his career, despite his widespread acclaim for painting, Bawa revisited drawing, his initial passion.

Manjit Bawa's famous paintings include "Untitled (GAJA LAKSHMI)" (2004), "Untitled (Shiva)" (1995), "Untitled (Figure with Bull)" (1997), "The Black Devi" (2002), among others. 

Manjit Bawa paintings for sale: Overview

Even after his passing, paintings of Manjit Bawa remain highly sought after by collectors worldwide. This is exemplified by the sale of "Untitled (Krishna and Cow)" (1998) for $780,500 at a Christie's auction in 2017.

Manjit Bawa paintings' price varies widely, reflecting their enduring appeal and cultural significance in the art market. For example, his work "Untitled (Shiva)" is estimated to range from 700,000 to 900,000 pounds sterling. Another piece, "Untitled (Sohni)", is estimated at 300,000 to 500,000 USD. Another famous work, Manjit Bawa's "Bull" painting, is reportedly estimated to be around Rs 4 crore or 478,652 USD.