South Asian Modern + Contemporary Art

Christie’s will present 56 lots of South Asian contemporary and modern art during the upcoming Asian Art Week. Vasudeo S. Gaitonde’s untitled 1983 painting is among the lots coming to auction for the first time. This green and blue piece grew out of Gaitonde’s exposure to Abstract Expressionism in the 1960s and was one of the last large paintings he completed before a debilitating car accident. Several other prominent South Asian artists are also represented, including Maqbool Fida Husain and Francis Newton Souza. The sale also features rising contemporary artists, from a lighted installation by Shilpa Gupta to miniature painting by Imran Qureshi.

Opening the sale is a portfolio of seven prints from prominent Indian-American artist Zarina. Active through the 20^th century, she experienced temporary displacement early in life due to the Partition of India. The available portfolio continues the artist’s career-long discussion of the concept of ‘home,’ something she felt she never found. “I do not feel at home anywhere,” she said, “but the idea of home follows me wherever I go.” Seven prints, each paired with a short line of text, are included in the portfolio. Find out more information about Zarina in this Auction Daily article. Visit Christie’s for the complete auction catalog and to place a bid.