K.G. Subramanyan: His Art As Language

This is the second of a two-part exhibition exploring the practice of K.G. Subramanyan (1924 – 2016). It takes place on the eve of his centenary birth year. The selection of objects at Chatterjee & Lal has been determined by two key influences in Subramanyan’s career: his training at Santiniketan during the 1940s and his engagement with textiles whilst employed at the Weavers’ Service Centre between 1958 – 1960.

The artist had studied for a year in the UK in the mid 1950s and during this period had fallen under the spell of the teachings of art historian E.H. Gombrich. Gombrich’s ideas around art, especially his use of the analogy of art as language, made a deep and lasting impact on the young Subramanyan. The manner in which art and design is defined by an ability to communicate between practitioner and audience is a common thread that runs right through the works selected for this exhibition, and provides the prompt for its title.

Chatterjee & Lal and Seagull Foundation for the Arts.