Important Notice

Lot 66

 

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a) Transferences, London: Zwemmer Gallery, June–July 1958

Unpaginated, illustrated with black-and-white reproductions; softcover
11 x 5 in (28 x 13 cm)

Transferences was a landmark exhibition showcasing the works of Commonwealth artists, including prominent Indian painters S H Raza and F N Souza. The exhibition featured a diverse group of artists such as Sidney Nolan, Albert Tucker, Paul-Émile Borduas, Jean-Paul Riopelle, John Coplans, Denis Bowen, and Maud Sumner, among others.

The catalogue includes black-and-white reproductions of selected works and provides insights into the artists' contributions to the evolving landscape of abstract and modern art within the Commonwealth. Notably, this exhibition is considered to have inspired the establishment of the Commonwealth Biennale of Abstract Art, first held at the Commonwealth Institute in 1963.

This catalogue represents a significant moment in the international recognition of modern Indian art. The inclusion of Raza and Souza highlights their pivotal roles in the global abstract art movement during the mid-20th century. The exhibition's influence extended beyond its immediate presentation, contributing to the broader discourse on Commonwealth artists' contributions to modern art.?

b) Trends in Contemporary Painting from India, New York: Graham Gallery / American Federation of Arts, 1959

14 pages; softcover
9.25 x 6.25 in (23.5 x 16 cm)

This rare catalogue accompanied the groundbreaking 1959 exhibition Trends in Contemporary Painting from India at the Graham Gallery, New York. Organized by Mr. and Mrs. Thomas and Martha Keehn and co-sponsored by The American Federation of the Arts and Asia Society, the exhibition was the first major presentation of modern Indian art in the United States and featured 20 works by eight pioneering Indian artists: S H Raza, M F Husain, F N Souza, V S Gaitonde, Akbar Padamsee, Krishen Khanna, Ram Kumar, and Mohan Samant. ?

One of the most significant paintings Village with Church (1958), by Syed Haider Raza from the collection of the late Mr. and Mrs. John D. and Blanchette Rockefeller III, representing the apex of Raza's early period (1943-1959) was part of this show.

The catalogue includes an introductory essay by Keehn, offering insights into the evolution of modern Indian art and the significance of the Progressive Artists' Group. It features black-and-white reproductions of selected works, providing a visual overview of the artists' diverse styles and thematic concerns.?

Following its debut at the Graham Gallery from February 10 to 26, 1959, the exhibition toured extensively across the United States, with 10 venues including the American University in Washington, D.C.; West Virginia Institute of Technology; Speed Museum in Louisville, Kentucky; Dorothy Yepez Gallery in Saranac Lake, New York; SUNY Oswego; Western Michigan University; Eastern Tennessee State College; Denison University; and Chatham College in Pittsburgh.

This catalogue represents a pivotal moment in the international recognition of Indian modernist art. The exhibition played a crucial role in introducing the works of the Progressive Artists' Group to American audiences, marking a significant milestone in the global appreciation of Indian contemporary art.

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