Unique contemporary and modern Indian artworks in auction that begins tomorrow

Team L&M

AstaGuru’s upcoming auction, titled Manifest, will showcase a unique amalgamation of modern and contemporary Indian art from the oeuvres of the most celebrated artists in the country. The meticulously curated catalogue highlights rare works by eminent modern Indian artists including M F Husain, Amrita Sher-Gil, Bikash Bhattacharjee, Jamini Roy, K K Hebbar, K H Ara, Jogen Chowdhury, K G Subramanyan, S H Raza, Akbar Padamsee, Manjit Bawa and T Vaikuntam. Among the vast selection of contemporary Indian artists showcased are Jagannath Panda, Ravinder Reddy, Surendran Nair, Jitish Kallat, Ranbir Singh K aleka, Nikhil Chaganlal, Meetali Singh and Mousumi Biswas. The auction will be held on September 24-26, 2024.

Sneha Gautam, Senior Vice President, Client Relations, AstaGuru Auction House says, “We are absolutely thrilled to present ‘Manifest,’ a meticulously curated auction that brings together the finest modern and contemporary Indian art under one roof. This catalogue offers collectors a rare opportunity to acquire works that span generations, styles, and periods, featuring icons such as M F Husain, Amrita Sher-Gil, and Jamini Roy, alongside leading contemporary voices like Jagannath Panda and Jitish Kallat. We have taken an approach to ensure a harmonious balance between the genres, offering something exceptional for every collector’s unique taste. The curation of ‘Manifest’ reflects our commitment to providing a comprehensive, yet thoughtfully balanced selection, to make sure clientele can find pieces that resonate with them, while also exploring the breadth of Indian art history.”

An untitled work by MF Husain

Leading the auction is Lot no. 73, an untitled work by M F Husain executed circa 1960s in oil on canvas. The work originally belonged to the famed Chester and Davida Herwitz collection, often cited as one of the most comprehensive amalgamations of modern and contemporary Indian art in the world. In the presented lot, Husain presents three figures with obscured faces, a recurring theme in his art. The lot will be offered at an estimate of INR 3,50,00,000 – 5,00,00,000.

Another untitled artwork by MF Husain

Another impactful work by Husain, lot no. 173, will also be showcased in the upcoming auction. Untitled (Yellow Strip Of Metaphor) is an oil on canvas work executed in 1967. Husain’s artistic journey during the 1960s was marked by a clear thematic progression. His paintings boldly challenged societal norms, exploring themes of passion and desire. The lot is estimated at INR 3,00,00,000 – 4,00,00,000

S H Raza’s ‘Kundalini’, lot no. 86, is an acrylic on canvas work executed in 1999. Created in his signature style, the work comes from his vast oeuvre of geometric works in vibrant colours. The Kundalini represents the ultimate source of energy and is usually depicted in the form of a coiled serpent. This lot will be offered at an estimate of INR 1,80,00,000 – 2,80,00,000.

Lot no. 197, an untitled large-scale work by K K Hebbar is estimated to be acquired at INR 1,00,00,000 – 1,50,00,000. The mixed media on board work was executed in 1968 and reflects the artist’s enduring interest in the folk traditions, geography and fauna of India.

Thota Vaikuntam’s untitled work, lot no. 234 is an acrylic on canvas work executed in 2017. Vaikuntam’s oeuvre consists of paintings that encapsulate the everyday life of the rural folk of Telangana, their culture and the mythology associated with it. The work is estimated at INR 80,00,000 – 1,20,00,000.

An untitled work by T Vaikuntam

An untitled work by Manjit Bawa, lot no. 170, is estimated to be sold for INR 3,00,00,000 – 4,00,00,000. Executed in 1988, the oil on canvas work is evidence of Bawa’s inspiration from  Indian classical artistic traditions, skillfully blending elements from various genres and periods into his work. His mastery of colour and space results in captivating compositions like the presented lot.

Contemporary highlights:

Again and Again II by Jagannath Panda

The Manifest auction also features notable contemporary works, such as Jagannath Panda’s Again & Again II (Lot no. 186), a mixed media piece reflecting on urbanization and tradition, estimated at INR 50 to 70 lakh, and Jitish Kallat’s Sneeze (Triptych) (Lot no. 64), a thought-provoking commentary on human vulnerability, estimated at INR 90 lakh to 1.5 crore.