Some artists achieve legendary status during their lifetime yet remain enigmatic figures long after their passing. Vasudeo Santu Gaitonde, born on November 2, 1924, embodies this paradox. Widely regarded as one of South Asia’s foremost abstract painters, Gaitonde was instrumental in shaping a transformative era in Indian art during the mid-20th century.
Gaitonde drew inspiration from Western artistic techniques while remaining deeply rooted in Asian philosophical traditions. His unique ability to infuse light and texture into his work evokes a profound sense of tranquility, a quality that has endeared him to art enthusiasts and collectors alike. According to Yamini Mehta, former international head of South Asian Art at Sotheby’s, “The play of light and shadows and texture makes these paintings dynamic.” His art was meant to serve as “meditations on the light and universe.”
Despite his talent, Gaitonde never sought fame or wealth. His paintings, however, have continued to capture the attention of collectors and art lovers, even years after his death in 2001. In a remarkable auction in 2022, an untitled oil painting by Gaitonde sold for an astounding 420 million rupees (nearly $5 million), setting a new record for Indian art at the time. The piece, with its ethereal blue hues, evoked vast expanses reminiscent of the sea or sky.
A Life Of Reclusion And Reflection
Gaitonde lived a reclusive life, profoundly influenced by Japanese Zen philosophy, which is evident in his meditative approach to art. In a rare 1991 interview with journalist Pritish Nandy, he remarked, “Everything starts from silence. The silence of the canvas. The silence of the painting knife. The painter starts by absorbing all these silences… Your entire being is working together with the brush, the painting knife, the canvas to absorb that silence and create.”
Born in Goa and later relocating to Mumbai (formerly Bombay), Gaitonde grew up in a modest three-room apartment within a chawl, a tenement complex for the city’s working class. He pursued his artistic education at the prestigious JJ School of Arts, enrolling in 1946. Despite his father’s disapproval—art was not deemed a suitable career choice in India—Gaitonde funded his own studies and graduated with a diploma in 1948.
One Of The Progressive Artists Group
Gaitonde was briefly associated with the Progressive Artists Group, a collective formed in 1947 in Mumbai aimed at encouraging innovative forms of art. This influential group included notable artists like Francis Souza, SH Raza, MF Husain, and Bhanu Athaiya, the first Indian to win an Oscar. Gaitonde’s tenure with this group played a crucial role in shaping his artistic philosophy.
During this vibrant period, Mumbai became a creative hub, teeming with artistic energy. Artist and writer Satish Naik, who authored an anthology on Gaitonde, remarked, “This was an interesting time as Mumbai was a hotbed of creativity.” While Indian art was predominantly characterized by realism, Gaitonde was among the pioneers who began to explore abstraction, eventually rejecting traditional forms in favor of the formless. “In that sense, he was a rebel. He wanted to paint as it pleased him, not as someone dictated to him,” Naik stated.
The Spiritual Journey Of An Artist
Gaitonde’s spiritual inclination profoundly influenced his artistic journey. He once noted, “My paintings are nothing else but the reflection of nature,” highlighting his deep connection with the natural world. In 1963, American abstract painter Morris Graves encountered Gaitonde’s work during his travels in India and was struck by its beauty. He praised Gaitonde in a letter to gallery owners in New York, comparing him to Mark Rothko and proclaiming, “He’s as fine – or superb – as Mark Rothko at his best and will be a world-known painter one of these days.”
In 1964, Gaitonde relocated to New York after receiving the prestigious Rockefeller Fellowship. The following two years proved pivotal as he immersed himself in the works of American modern artists, further refining his distinctive style. His contributions to art were recognized in 1971 when he was awarded the Padma Shri, India’s fourth-highest civilian honor.
Despite his growing acclaim, Gaitonde became increasingly withdrawn over the years. Renowned artist Laxman Shreshtha recounted in Naik’s book how MF Husain often visited Gaitonde but found it challenging to meet him. “If Gaitonde didn’t want to meet anyone, he would not open the door, not even for Husain who would sketch something on the door and go,” Shreshtha recalled.
After suffering a spinal injury in 1984, Gaitonde’s output diminished significantly, and he would often remark, “I still continue to paint; I make paintings in my head. I now have limited energy which I need to conserve and cannot waste putting paint to canvas.” As his body of work became rarer, so did the allure surrounding it, leading to increased interest and elevated prices at auctions.
The Enduring Impact Of Gaitonde’s Art
When Gaitonde passed away in 2001 at the age of 77, his death went largely unnoticed, overshadowed by his reclusive lifestyle in his final years. Nevertheless, his evocative canvases have continued to resonate globally. Cara Manes, an associate curator at the Museum of Modern Art, aptly described Gaitonde’s works as an embodiment of what silence might look like, remarking, “And yet there’s a certain shimmering effect that emerges out of that silence which is then pitted against these very solid marks, assertive application of colours.”
For Gaitonde, art was not merely a profession; it was an intimate form of self-expression. He often stated, “I let the colours flow and watch. That is my painting.” As we commemorate his centenary, Gaitonde’s legacy remains a testament to the transformative power of art and the enduring spirit of creativity.
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