Dhiraj Choudhury, Untitled (Hedges), 1990

Acrylic, pencil and ink on paper
43.5 x 53.5 cm (visible), 74 x 84 x 2 cm (framed)
Condition: Fair, mould on glass, foxing apparent on mat board and throughout artwork, spot of mould on verso

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Dhiraj Choudhury (Indian, 1936-2018) was a painter renowned for his socially conscious art and expressive style. Born in Brahmanbaria District, British India (now in Bangladesh), he experienced the trauma of partition, which influenced his themes in his pieces. Choudhury studied at the Government College of Art & Craft in Kolkata and later taught at the College of Art, Delhi, from 1961 to 1966. He described himself as an “aggressive painter” who depicted “life full of misery”, often addressing issues like the dowry system, corruption, and social inequalities through his work.

Throughout his career, Choudhury held over eighty exhibitions, including sixteen international shows. In the 1970s, his works were exhibited in Geneva alongside those of Salvador Dali and Joan Miro. Choudhury passed away on June 1, 2018, in Kolkata at the age of 82, leaving behind a legacy of art that continues to inspire and provoke thought.

I see strength and fortitude in the artist’s ability to execute his strokes. I acquired this from a local (Singaporean) gallery in the 90s.

(Photographed in May 2024)