Ganesh Haloi, Untitled (Emerald), 2021

Gouache on Brown Paper laid on board
30 x 25 cm (visible), 51.5 x 46.5 x 3 cm (framed)
Condition: Very good
Certificate of Authenticity available

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Ganesh Haloi (Indian, b.1936) is a visual artist, curator and author. He moved to Kolkata in 1950 following the partition of India. Haloi sees himself as one with nature, with landscape clearly one of his deepest sources of inspiration. He understands leaving behind his home in Jamalpur as losing his own identity. “My feelings and affection are here. The mountains, the people playing folk songs on the banks, I do not think it is something separate from me. I am not apart from the landscape", he says.

Ganesh Haloi’s artistic journey is deeply rooted in his early experiences with the Ajanta caves, where he was tasked with reproducing their frescoes in the late 1950s. Mesmerised by the intricate murals, lotus motifs, and mythological figures, Haloi’s work initially reflected a lyrical, figurative style infused with vibrant colours and poignant moods. Over time, his art evolved, shifting from figurative landscapes to abstract renderings, where dots, lines, and dashes symbolised elements of nature like trees, water, and fields. His abstraction often concealed layers of hidden civilizations and imagined landscapes, reflecting a nostalgia for lost worlds. Haloi’s exploration of architectural ruins, such as Gour Pandua, and his study of Buddhism further enriched his work, leading to a 1964 publication on the techniques of Ajanta murals.

Haloi’s art is characterised by distilled seascapes and landscapes, rendered in tempera and oil, with colours like green-blues, sienna-rust, and yellow-greys evoking depth and tranquility. Beneath the abstract forms lie remnants of architectural structures—cornices, arches, and gateways—revealing his archaeological approach to art. Haloi’s creative process is deeply personal, shaped by his surroundings, from the rhythmic sounds of the sea to the quiet of his Kolkata studio, where he has worked for decades. His domestic routine remains unchanged, reflecting a life dedicated to art.

Acquired from Art Magnum, New Delhi, India

(Photographed in January 2025)