"I delve a lot on man's inhumanity to man."
Born on August 4, 1939, Sunil Das was an artist of giant magnitude and inimitable skill.
Sunil mainly worked with colourless art, melding charcoal with the imagery of animals.
He was particularly fascinated by horses and bulls and much of his artwork came from this passion.
In his time, Sunil was a pioneer of expressionism and postmodernism.
His paintings deserve as much recognition as possible.
Delving into his techniques to stay relevant, the artist said:
“To prevent myself from producing the same kind of work, I keep altering my vision.
“From the day people began to see me as a painter, a huge responsibility fell upon me, particularly to respond to the feelings of the people at the grassroots level who are also my viewers, as also to delve deep into realities of life around me.”
Divulging his passion for horses and bulls, Sunil added: “I must have done 7000 horses between 1950 to 1960.
“In 1962, I went to Spain, where I was fascinated by the bullfights.”
Many of his pieces remain without official titles but that does not mean that Sunil’s work is of less value.
Paying tribute to Sunil Das, DESIblitz presents eight of his most stunning paintings that must be seen.
Horse
As previously mentioned, Sunil Das proudly harboured a penchant for integrating horses into his artwork.
This particular painting boasts of an enigmatic colour scheme.
Sunil’s confident brushstrokes and melancholic approach to the artwork make this piece stand out.
The sombre look in the horse’s eye also leaves an imprint on the minds of the audience.
If anybody wishes to possess a genuinely raw representation of a horse, this painting is a top choice.
Bull and Man
An architect of charcoal, Sunil outdoes himself using the material in this painting.
His interest in bullfighting is represented in an utterly unique way.
This painting carries the image of a bull who is next to a man.
The shape of the man looks down at the bull, almost edging it to keep up.
Therefore, the painting has connotations of sports and athleticism.
Sunil explains: “I am a good sportsman. I like things which have a lot of rhythm and energy.”
That can be seen in this artwork easily.
Pushpa
The passion of Sunil Das stretched beyond horses and bulls.
He was also submerged in feminist themes and ideas.
Sunil created paintings to represent the pressures that women face.
One painting that carries this theme is Pushpa.
It depicts a woman who appears dishevelled with circles around her eyes.
As with his other work, Sunil’s expression via a lack of brightness is a highlight.
The pain in her eyes is palpable and it makes Pushpa all the more hard-hitting and gritty.
Two Horses
In this masterpiece, Sunil cultivates the salvation of two horses.
The painting shows the animals cantering in opposite directions.
It almost leaves an impression of freedom.
Like his aforementioned work, Sunil’s painting of two horses has a sombre feel to it.
This makes the art memorable and distinct.
One just wants to reach out and stroke the horses who appear to be going for their dreams.
Bull
Applying a more direct approach to the canvas, Sunil Das creates a majestic bull in this painting.
The artist nails all the features of the animal which appears thoughtful and reflective.
Colour in the painting is mostly black but that doesn’t make the artwork monotonous.
The green background signifies boldness which reflects the bull well.
With this painting, Sunil Das proves that he can use any method of painting to dramatise his passions.
Railway Engine
The versatility of Sunil Das shines through with an unmatched fervour in Railway Engine.
In this painting, Sunil conveys his thoughts regarding the motion of a train marvellously.
With excellent colour, imagery, and shades, the artist sets a scene that is relatable and peaceful.
By stepping away from his usual territory of horses, bulls, and women, Sunil crafts something different which is pleasing and thought-provoking.
He is an artist of great capability.
Untitled Bull
This untitled painting of a bull encapsulates Sunil Das’ fascination for the animal once again.
The painting shows a black bull engrossed in a sprint.
Sunil captures the movement brilliantly as if it is frozen in a single frame.
The excitement that emanates from the image is daring and infectious.
Speaking about his painting process, the artist says:
“I do a sketch before I start painting. I always struggle with colours and shapes, until they fall to the desired pattern.
“Like a music conductor, I summon all my musical instruments to play and orchestrate an aesthetic unit out of various experiences.”
This comes to light in this painting of a bull which is a visual spectacle.
Gita
Returning to Sunil’s groundbreaking portrayal of women, we come to Gita.
The artwork shows a woman in a thoughtful mood, appearing deeply in her world.
It is as if she is taking something in.
Released in 1992, this painting achieved success and is one of the most thrilling works of Sunil Das.
Sunil Das continued to enchant and enthral art connoisseurs with his original vision and fantastic talent.
Commenting on his work, FN Souza states: “He is a master of the horrific art.”
In his words, Sunil says: “I delve a lot on man’s inhumanity to man.”
This bewildering attitude may just have been the secret to Sunil’s longevity.
Sunil Das passed away on August 10, 2015, leaving behind an everlasting legacy in the medium of art.
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