Vasudev S. Gaitonde was regarded as one of the most finest and cloistered abstract painter of India. Vasudev Gaitonde was born in 1924 and had received his diploma from the J. J. School of Art in Mumbai in 1948. Impressed by his work, Vasudev was invited to join the Progressive Artists Group of Bombay. He actively participated in the activities of the group. He had several exhibitions held in India as well as in foreign countries.
In 1956, he participated in the Indian art exhibition which was held in east European countries. He also participated in other group exhibitions held at the Graham art gallery, New York in 1959 and 1963. Gaitonde's abstract works are produced in many Indian and overseas collections including the Museum of Modern Art, New York. In 1957, he was awarded the first prize at the Young Asian Artists Exhibition, Tokyo and the Rockefeller Fellowship followed in 1964. In 1971, he was awarded the Padma Shri i.e. the highest award for creative excellence given by the Government of India.
Gaitonde experimented hugely with form and shape in his works. Vasudev’s wraithlike and multifarious paintings invoke a concealed and obscure description of the real world, however Gaitonde highly disregarded the title of ‘abstractionist’ labeled on him. Vasudev had a profound influence of Zen philosophy and ancients calligraphy on him. In the midst of his art work, one could notice the control and the conglomerated structure finely depicted. Gaitonde preferred to enjoy a slow and a meticulous painting process unlike his contemporaries that is why he produced only a few finished works. Gaitonde’s use of symbolic element and very few ground lines made his work appear like a flowing river. Gaitonde’s work reminds us of artists like Paul Klee and Joan Miro whom he had studied during his college days.
Gaitonde makes the on-looker simply gaze at his paintings as they represent a marvelous illusion of form, color and painting. He has the power to make simple objects to turn into spiritual elements. The artist had tremendous talent and skill in shading which makes his work look like a never ending abyss. Gaitonde uses a roller and a palette knife, to throughly influence and mix different mediums on the canvas. His art work appers to sublime with each element evaporating in some other form. His abstract paintings with their lucid beams of light evoke concealed depths. Gaitonde’s work appears to radiate a meditative charm with large planar surfaces and subtle layers of paint on the canvas. His paintings have an attribute of light that seems to be complete in it. His work builds up pigments and later they are carefully removed for the desired effect that Gaitonde creates.
V.S. Gaitonde was the first Indian contemporary painter whose work was sold for Rs. 92 lakhs at the Osians art auction. Gaitonde passed away in 2002. VS Gaitonde is still considered as one of India's foremost abstractionists and an ethereal painter.
In 1956, he participated in the Indian art exhibition which was held in east European countries. He also participated in other group exhibitions held at the Graham art gallery, New York in 1959 and 1963. Gaitonde's abstract works are produced in many Indian and overseas collections including the Museum of Modern Art, New York. In 1957, he was awarded the first prize at the Young Asian Artists Exhibition, Tokyo and the Rockefeller Fellowship followed in 1964. In 1971, he was awarded the Padma Shri i.e. the highest award for creative excellence given by the Government of India.
Gaitonde experimented hugely with form and shape in his works. Vasudev’s wraithlike and multifarious paintings invoke a concealed and obscure description of the real world, however Gaitonde highly disregarded the title of ‘abstractionist’ labeled on him. Vasudev had a profound influence of Zen philosophy and ancients calligraphy on him. In the midst of his art work, one could notice the control and the conglomerated structure finely depicted. Gaitonde preferred to enjoy a slow and a meticulous painting process unlike his contemporaries that is why he produced only a few finished works. Gaitonde’s use of symbolic element and very few ground lines made his work appear like a flowing river. Gaitonde’s work reminds us of artists like Paul Klee and Joan Miro whom he had studied during his college days.
Gaitonde makes the on-looker simply gaze at his paintings as they represent a marvelous illusion of form, color and painting. He has the power to make simple objects to turn into spiritual elements. The artist had tremendous talent and skill in shading which makes his work look like a never ending abyss. Gaitonde uses a roller and a palette knife, to throughly influence and mix different mediums on the canvas. His art work appers to sublime with each element evaporating in some other form. His abstract paintings with their lucid beams of light evoke concealed depths. Gaitonde’s work appears to radiate a meditative charm with large planar surfaces and subtle layers of paint on the canvas. His paintings have an attribute of light that seems to be complete in it. His work builds up pigments and later they are carefully removed for the desired effect that Gaitonde creates.
V.S. Gaitonde was the first Indian contemporary painter whose work was sold for Rs. 92 lakhs at the Osians art auction. Gaitonde passed away in 2002. VS Gaitonde is still considered as one of India's foremost abstractionists and an ethereal painter.
