CREATIVE CIRCUIT: THE ART OF K G SUBRAMANYAN (19-20 JANUARY 2021)

THE MAGIC OF MAKING
(1960s — 1970s)

BARODA AND NEW YORK

LOTS 24‒47

Closing Time: Wednesday, 20 January 2021

8.15 pm (IST)
9.45 am (US Eastern Time)

51

“I want my work to be ambiguous. I would like it to appear to me every
morning as a new configuration. Also I want to straddle the visible and the
abstract with its forms now becoming recognisable now going into hiding.
I think that this balancing of the abstract with the objective is one of the
most significant characteristics of the traditional art of my country ‒ like in
its temples which are impressive as abstract heaps of stone but which bristle
up with mythologies and representational detail at second glance. This is
where I get into contact with it. I want my work also to live in such a twilight
zone of sensibility, although the ingredients I put into it are not what they
used to be but are of this time.”  K G SUBRAMANYAN

52

24

a) Untitled
1966‒68
Marker pen on paper
9 x 6 in (22.8 x 15.2 cm)

b) Untitled
1966‒68
Marker pen on paper
9 x 6 in (22.8 x 15.2 cm)

c) Untitled
1966‒68
Marker pen on paper
9 x 6 in (22.8 x 15.2 cm)

$13,890 ‒ 20,835
Rs 10,00,000 ‒ 15,00,000

This lot is offered at NO RESERVE

(Set of three)

a

bc

53

a 25

b a) Untitled
54 1968
Marker pen on paper
15.5 x 12 in (39.7 x 30.4 cm)

b) Untitled
Initialled in Tamil (lower right)
1964‒66
Marker pen on paper
16.5 x 12.5 in (41.9 x 31.7 cm)

$11,115 ‒ 13,890
Rs 8,00,000 ‒ 10,00,000
(Set of two)

In 1966, Subramanyan was awarded
a JD Rockefeller III Fund Fellowship,
which entailed a year‒long stay in New
York. It was during this period that his
ongoing interest in semi‒abstraction
further evolved, particularly in the form
of his ‘Marker’ drawings on paper (termed
after the marker pens he used). This sale
represents an extremely rare collection
of significant works from a critically
important period in the artist’s career,
never before offered on auction at this
scale.
Works similar to the present lot, as well
as other ‘Marker’ works in this sale,
are currently in the collection of The
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
(accession numbers 2017.108 ‒ 2017.112).

a

b EXHIBITED
The Ambivalent Gesture, Santiniketan: Nandan Gallery, Kala
26 Bhavana, 5 ‒ 19 February 2018; Patna: Bihar Museum, 29
September ‒ 16 October 2019
a) Untitled IMPACT: design thinking and the visual arts in young India,
1964‒66 Mumbai: Chatterjee & Lal, 6 September ‒ 20 October 2018
Marker pen on paper
12 x 18 in (30.4 x 45.7 cm) PUBLISHED
R Siva Kumar, The Ambivalent Gesture, Kolkata: Seagull
b) Untitled Foundation for the Arts, 2019
1964‒66
Marker pen on paper
12 x 18 in (30.4 x 45.7 cm)

$8,335 ‒ 11,115
Rs 6,00,000 ‒ 8,00,000
(Set of two)

55

a
b

27

a) Untitled

Initialled in Tamil and dated ‘1/68’ (lower left)
1968
Marker pen on paper
12.75 x 5.5 in (32.3 x 13.9 cm)

b) Untitled EXHIBITED
1968 The Ambivalent Gesture, Santiniketan: Nandan Gallery,
Marker pen on paper Kala Bhavana, 5 ‒ 19 February 2018; Patna: Bihar
13 x 5.5 in (33 x 13.9 cm) Museum, 29 September ‒ 16 October 2019

$8,335 ‒ 11,115 PUBLISHED
Rs 6,00,000 ‒ 8,00,000 R Siva Kumar, The Ambivalent Gesture, Kolkata: Seagull
Foundation for the Arts, 2019
(Set of two)

56

28

Untitled
Initialled in Tamil (upper left)
1968
Marker pen on paper
13 x 5.5 in (33 x 14 cm)
$4,170 ‒ 5,560
Rs 3,00,000 ‒ 4,00,000

EXHIBITED
The Ambivalent Gesture, Santiniketan: Nandan Gallery, Kala
Bhavana, 5 ‒ 19 February 2018; Patna: Bihar Museum, 29
September ‒ 16 October 2019
PUBLISHED
R Siva Kumar, The Ambivalent Gesture, Kolkata: Seagull
Foundation for the Arts, 2019

57

29 EXHIBITED

a) Untitled Sketches, Scribbles, Drawings, presented by The Seagull
Initialled in Tamil (lower center) Foundation for the Arts at Bangalore: National Gallery of
1968 Modern Art, 29 November ‒ 15 December 2014; Abu Dhabi:
Marker pen on paper India House, 10 ‒ 18 April 2015; Dubai: Sultan Bin Ali Al
10 x 7 in (25.5 x 17.8 cm) Owais Cultural Foundation, 15 ‒ 14 April 2015; Bhubaneswar:
Lalit Kala Akademi, Regional Centre, 2 ‒ 11 September 2015;
PUBLISHED Lucknow: Lalit Kala Akademi Regional Centre, 23 September
K G Subramanyan, Sketches, Scribbles, Drawings, Kolkata: ‒ 3 October 2015; Mumbai: Jehangir Art Gallery, 15 ‒ 21
Seagull Books, 1999, p. 5 December 2015; Chennai: Lalit Kala Akademi Regional
Centre, 6 ‒ 16 January 2016; Santiniketan: Nandan Gallery,
b) Untitled Kala Bhavana, 5 ‒ 14 February 2016; Kolkata: The Harrington
Initialled in Tamil (lower left) Street Arts Centre, 18 February ‒ 5 March 2016; Bhopal:
1968 Modern Art Gallery, Bharat Bhawan, 18 March ‒ 17 April
Marker pen on paper 2016; Patna: Bihar Lalit Kala Akademi, 24 June ‒ 5 July 2016;
10 x 7 in (25.5 x 17.8 cm) New Delhi: Aakriti Art Gallery, 30 July ‒ 29 August 2016;
Guwahati: Srimanti Sankaradeva Kalakshetra Society, 1 ‒ 20
PUBLISHED November 2016; Ernakulam: Durbar Hall, 19 April ‒ 19 May
K G Subramanyan, Sketches, Scribbles, Drawings, Kolkata: 2017; Panaji: Sanskruti Bhavan, 5 ‒ 31 October 2017
Seagull Books, 1999, p. 4

c) Untitled
Initialled in Tamil (lower left)
1968
Marker pen on paper
16.6 x 12.3 in (42.3 x 31.3 cm)

PUBLISHED
K G Subramanyan, Sketches, Scribbles, Drawings, Kolkata:
Seagull Books, 1999, p. 3

$16,670 ‒ 25,000
Rs 12,00,000 ‒ 18,00,000

(Set of three)

58

ab

c
59

30

a) Untitled
1964‒66
Marker pen on paper
18 x 12 in (45.7 x 30.4 cm)

b) Untitled
1965‒66
Marker pen on paper
18 x 12 in (45.7 x 30.4 cm)

c) Untitled
1966
Marker pen on paper
18 x 12 in (45.7 x 30.4 cm)

$16,670 ‒ 25,000
Rs 12,00,000 ‒ 18,00,000
(Set of three)
EXHIBITED
The Ambivalent Gesture, Santiniketan: Nandan Gallery, Kala
Bhavana, 5 ‒ 19 February 2018; Patna: Bihar Museum, 29
September ‒ 16 October 2019
IMPACT: design thinking and the visual arts in young India,
Mumbai: Chatterjee & Lal, 6 September ‒ 20 October 2018 (b)
PUBLISHED
R Siva Kumar, The Ambivalent Gesture, Kolkata: Seagull
Foundation for the Arts, 2019

60

ab

c
61

a 31

b a) Untitled
1966‒68
c Marker pen on paper
62 9 x 6 in (22.8 x 15.2 cm)

This is a double‒sided work

b) Untitled
1966‒68
Marker pen on paper
9 x 6 in (22.8 x 15.2 cm)

c) Untitled
1966‒68
Marker pen on paper
9 x 6 in (22.8 x 15.2 cm)

$13,890 ‒ 20,835
Rs 10,00,000 ‒ 15,00,000
(Set of three)

a) reverse

a b

32

a) Untitled
1966‒68
Marker pen on paper
9 x 6 in (22.8 x 15.2 cm)

b) Untitled
1966‒68
Marker pen on paper
9 x 6 in (22.8 x 15.2 cm)

$8,335 ‒ 11,115
Rs 6,00,000 ‒ 8,00,000
(Set of two)

63

64

a b

33

a) Untitled
1966‒68
Marker pen on paper
9 x 6 in (22.8 x 15.2 cm)

b) Untitled
1966‒68
Marker pen on paper
9 x 6 in (22.8 x 15.2 cm)

$8,335 ‒ 11,115
Rs 6,00,000 ‒ 8,00,000
(Set of two)

65

a b

34

a) Untitled
1966‒68
Marker pen on paper
9 x 6 in (22.8 x 15.2 cm)

b) Untitled
1966‒68
Marker pen on paper
9 x 6 in (22.8 x 15.2 cm)

$8,335 ‒ 11,115
Rs 6,00,000 ‒ 8,00,000
(Set of two)

66

35

a) Untitled
Circa 1960s
Pen and crayon on paper
12.25 x 7.5 in (31.1 x 19 cm)

b) Untitled
Circa 1960s
Pen and crayon on paper
12.25 x 7.5 in (31.1 x 19 cm)

$8,335 ‒ 11,115
Rs 6,00,000 ‒ 8,00,000

(Set of two)

ab

67

36

Untitled
Initialled in Tamil (lower right)
1966‒68
Pen and watercolour on paper
8.75 x 6 in (22.2 x 15.2 cm)
$4,170 ‒ 5,560
Rs 3,00,000 ‒ 4,00,000

68

Circa 1960s
K G Subramanyan with wife Susheela and

daughter Uma
Personal album of K G Subramanyan

69

37 EXHIBITED

Untitled Drawings of Women, presented by The Seagull Foundation for the Arts at Santiniketan:
Nandan Gallery, Kala Bhavana, 5 ‒ 14 February 2017; Patna: Bihar Museum, 3 ‒ 16
1977 November 2017; Kolkata: Birla Academy of Art and Culture, 14 March ‒ 14 April 2018;
Ink on paper New Delhi: Art Heritage, 13 August ‒ 9 September 2018; Hyderabad: Kalakriti Art
9.5 x 10.5 in (24.1 x 26.7 cm) Gallery, 20 October ‒ 1 November 2018; Ahmedabad: L&P Hutheesingh Visual Art
Centre, 20 November ‒ 2 December 2018
$2,780 ‒ 4,170
Rs 2,00,000 ‒ 3,00,000 PUBLISHED

R Siva Kumar, Women Seen and Remembered: Drawings of Women by K G Subramanyan,
Kolkata: Seagull Books, 2017, p. 59

70

38 EXHIBITED
Drawings of Women, presented by The Seagull Foundation for the Arts at Santiniketan:
Untitled Nandan Gallery, Kala Bhavana, 5 ‒ 14 February 2017; Patna: Bihar Museum, 3 ‒ 16
November 2017; Kolkata: Birla Academy of Art and Culture, 14 March ‒ 14 April 2018;
1976 New Delhi: Art Heritage, 13 August ‒ 9 September 2018; Hyderabad: Kalakriti Art
Pen and crayon on paper Gallery, 20 October ‒ 1 November 2018; Ahmedabad: L&P Hutheesingh Visual Art
10.5 x 9.5 in (26.7 x 24.1 cm) Centre, 20 November ‒ 2 December 2018

$2,780 ‒ 4,170 PUBLISHED
Rs 2,00,000 ‒ 3,00,000 R Siva Kumar, Women Seen and Remembered: Drawings of Women by K G Subramanyan,
Kolkata: Seagull Books, 2017, p. 37

71

72

39 EXHIBITED

a) Untitled Drawings of Women, presented by The Seagull Foundation for the Arts at Santiniketan:
1979‒80 Nandan Gallery, Kala Bhavana, 5 ‒ 14 February 2017; Patna: Bihar Museum, 3 ‒ 16
Watercolour on paper November 2017; Kolkata: Birla Academy of Art and Culture, 14 March ‒ 14 April 2018;
12.25 x 7.75 in (31.1 x 19.6 cm) New Delhi: Art Heritage, 13 August ‒ 9 September 2018; Hyderabad: Kalakriti Art
Gallery, 20 October ‒ 1 November 2018; Ahmedabad: L&P Hutheesingh Visual Art
b) Untitled Centre, 20 November ‒ 2 December 2018
1979‒80
Watercolour on paper PUBLISHED
12.25 x 7.75 in (31.1 x 19.6 cm)
R Siva Kumar, Women Seen and Remembered: Drawings of Women by K G Subramanyan,
$5,560 ‒ 8,335 Kolkata: Seagull Books, 2017, p. 47
Rs 4,00,000 ‒ 6,00,000

(Set of two)

ab

73

40

a) Untitled
1979‒80
Watercolour on paper
10.75 x 7.25 in (31.1 x 19.6 cm)

PUBLISHED
R Siva Kumar, Women Seen and Remembered: Drawings of Women by K G
Subramanyan, Kolkata: Seagull Books, 2017, p. 38

b) Untitled
1979‒80
Watercolour on paper
10.75 x 7.25 in (31.1 x 19.6 cm)

PUBLISHED
R Siva Kumar, Women Seen and Remembered: Drawings of Women by K G
Subramanyan, Kolkata: Seagull Books, 2017, p. 38

c) Untitled
1979‒80
Watercolour on paper
10.75 x 7.25 in (26.87 x 18.12 cm)

PUBLISHED
R Siva Kumar, Women Seen and Remembered: Drawings of Women by K G
Subramanyan, Kolkata: Seagull Books, 2017, p. 38

d) Untitled
1979‒80
Watercolour on paper
16 x 13 in (40 x 32.5 cm)

PUBLISHED
R Siva Kumar, Women Seen and Remembered: Drawings of Women by K G
Subramanyan, Kolkata: Seagull Books, 2017, p. 38

$11,115 ‒ 13,890
Rs 8,00,000 ‒ 10,00,000

(Set of four)

EXHIBITED
Drawings of Women, presented by The Seagull Foundation for the Arts at
Santiniketan: Nandan Gallery, Kala Bhavana, 5 ‒ 14 February 2017; Patna: Bihar
Museum, 3 ‒ 16 November 2017; Kolkata: Birla Academy of Art and Culture, 14
March ‒ 14 April 2018; New Delhi: Art Heritage, 13 August ‒ 9 September 2018;
Hyderabad: Kalakriti Art Gallery, 20 October ‒ 1 November 2018; Ahmedabad:
L&P Hutheesingh Visual Art Centre, 20 November ‒ 2 December 2018

74

a bc

d
75

41 EXHIBITED

Untitled Sketches, Scribbles, Drawings, presented by The Seagull Foundation for the Arts at
Bangalore: National Gallery of Modern Art, 29 November ‒ 15 December 2014;
1976 Abu Dhabi: India House, 10 ‒ 18 April 2015; Dubai: Sultan Bin Ali Al Owais Cultural
Pen and crayon on paper Foundation, 15 ‒ 14 April 2015; Bhubaneswar: Lalit Kala Akademi, Regional Centre, 2
9.5 x 10.5 in (24.1 x 26.7 cm) ‒ 11 September 2015; Lucknow: Lalit Kala Akademi Regional Centre, 23 September
‒ 3 October 2015; Mumbai: Jehangir Art Gallery, 15 ‒ 21 December 2015; Chennai:
$2,780 ‒ 4,170 Lalit Kala Akademi Regional Centre, 6 ‒ 16 January 2016; Santiniketan: Nandan
Rs 2,00,000 ‒ 3,00,000 Gallery, Kala Bhavana, 5 ‒ 14 February 2016; Kolkata: The Harrington Street Arts
Centre, 18 February ‒ 5 March 2016; Bhopal: Modern Art Gallery, Bharat Bhawan,
This lot is offered at NO RESERVE 18 March ‒ 17 April 2016; Patna: Bihar Lalit Kala Akademi, 24 June ‒ 5 July 2016; New
Delhi: Aakriti Art Gallery, 30 July ‒ 29 August 2016; Guwahati: Srimanti Sankaradeva
Kalakshetra Society, 1 ‒ 20 November 2016; Ernakulam: Durbar Hall, 19 April ‒ 19
May 2017; Panaji: Sanskruti Bhavan, 5 ‒ 31 October 2017

PUBLISHED

K G Subramanyan, Sketches, Scribbles, Drawings, Kolkata: Seagull Books, 1999, p. 18

“In 1971, he exhorted his fellow artists in Lucknow and elsewhere to “achieve a link‒up with their tradition in real
terms” so that eventually “this tradition will come to life like a many‒headed giant and speak to them with many
mouths.” (Sonal Khullar, “The New Primitives: K G Subramanyan,” Worldly Affiliations, Oakland: University of California
Press, 2015, p. 166)

76

a

42

a) Untitled
1976
Pen and ink on paper
9.5 x 10.75 in (24.1 x 27.3 cm)

b) Untitled
1976
Pen and ink on paper
9.5 x 10.75 in (24.1 x 27.3 cm)

$2,780 ‒ 4,170
Rs 2,00,000 ‒ 3,00,000
This lot is offered at NO RESERVE
b (Set of two)

77

43 EXHIBITED

a) Untitled Sketches, Scribbles, Drawings, presented by The Seagull
Initialled in Tamil (lower right) Foundation for the Arts at Bangalore: National Gallery of
1976‒80 Modern Art, 29 November ‒ 15 December 2014; Abu Dhabi:
Brush and ink on card India House, 10 ‒ 18 April 2015; Dubai: Sultan Bin Ali Al
3.9 x 5.7 in (10.1 x 14.5 cm) Owais Cultural Foundation, 15 ‒ 14 April 2015; Bhubaneswar:
Lalit Kala Akademi, Regional Centre, 2 ‒ 11 September
PUBLISHED 2015; Lucknow: Lalit Kala Akademi Regional Centre, 23
K G Subramanyan, Sketches, Scribbles, Drawings, Kolkata: September ‒ 3 October 2015; Mumbai: Jehangir Art Gallery,
Seagull Books, 1999, p. 101 15 ‒ 21 December 2015; Chennai: Lalit Kala Akademi Regional
Centre, 6 ‒ 16 January 2016; Santiniketan: Nandan Gallery,
b) Untitled Kala Bhavana, 5 ‒ 14 February 2016; Kolkata: The Harrington
Initialled in Tamil and dated ‘10/78’ (lower right) Street Arts Centre, 18 February ‒ 5 March 2016; Bhopal:
1978 Modern Art Gallery, Bharat Bhawan, 18 March ‒ 17 April 2016;
Brush and ink on card Patna: Bihar Lalit Kala Akademi, 24 June ‒ 5 July 2016; New
4 x 5.7 in (10.2 x 14.5 cm) Delhi: Aakriti Art Gallery, 30 July ‒ 29 August 2016; Guwahati:
Srimanti Sankaradeva Kalakshetra Society, 1 ‒ 20 November
PUBLISHED 2016; Ernakulam: Durbar Hall, 19 April ‒ 19 May 2017; Panaji:
K G Subramanyan, Sketches, Scribbles, Drawings, Kolkata: Sanskruti Bhavan, 5 ‒ 31 October 2017
Seagull Books, 1999, p. 101

c) Untitled
Initialled in Tamil (centre right)
1976‒80
Brush and ink on card
4.2 x 6.4 in (10.8 x 16.3 cm)

PUBLISHED
K G Subramanyan, Sketches, Scribbles, Drawings, Kolkata:
Seagull Books, 1999, p. 98

d) Untitled
Initialled in Tamil (lower right)
1978
Brush and ink on card
4 x 5.7 in (10.2 x 14.5 cm)

PUBLISHED
R Siva Kumar, Women Seen and Remembered: Drawings
of Women by K G Subramanyan, Kolkata: Seagull Books,
2017, p. 99

$2,780 ‒ 4,170
Rs 2,00,000 ‒ 3,00,000

(Set of four)

78

ab

cd

“All my drawings and studies of landscapes, birds or animals, of places visited
or persons seen are reconstructed in the studio out of things remembered and
little mnemonic notes. I have also been affected by their habit of sketching
on small cards they kept in their pockets. Little leaflets of reminiscence. Of
things seen or imagined. Or projected fantasies. Given as gifts, on occasions,
with an inscription or greeting.”

 K G SUBRAMANYAN

79

44 f) Untitled
Initialled in Tamil (lower right)
a) Untitled 1978
Initialled in Tamil (lower right) Brush and ink on card
1976‒80 4 x 5.7 in (10.2 x 14.5 cm)
Brush and ink on card
3.9 x 5.7 in (10.1 x 14.5 cm) PUBLISHED
K G Subramanyan, Sketches, Scribbles, Drawings, Kolkata: Seagull
PUBLISHED Books, 1999, p. 94
K G Subramanyan, Sketches, Scribbles, Drawings,
Kolkata: Seagull Books, 1999, p. 87 g) Untitled
Initialled in Tamil (lower left)
b) Untitled 1978
Initialled in Tamil (lower right) Brush and ink on card
1978 4 x 5.7 in (10.2 x 14.5 cm)
Brush and ink on card
4 x 5.7 in (10.2 x 14.5 cm) PUBLISHED
K G Subramanyan, Sketches, Scribbles, Drawings, Kolkata: Seagull
PUBLISHED Books, 1999, p. 94
K G Subramanyan, Sketches, Scribbles, Drawings,
Kolkata: Seagull Books, 1999, p. 88 h) Untitled
Initialled in Tamil (lower right)
c) Untitled 1978
Initialled in Tamil (lower left) Brush and ink on card
1976‒80 4 x 5.7 in (10.2 x 14.5 cm)
Brush and ink on card
4.2 x 6.4 in (10.8 x 16.3 cm) PUBLISHED
K G Subramanyan, Sketches, Scribbles, Drawings, Kolkata: Seagull
PUBLISHED Books, 1999, p. 95
K G Subramanyan, Sketches, Scribbles, Drawings,
Kolkata: Seagull Books, 1999, p. 90 $5,560 ‒ 8,335
Rs 4,00,000 ‒ 6,00,000
d) Untitled
Initialled in Tamil (lower right) (Set of eight)
1978
Brush and ink on card EXHIBITED
4 x 5.7 in (10.2 x 14.5 cm) Sketches, Scribbles, Drawings, presented by The Seagull Foundation
for the Arts at Bangalore: National Gallery of Modern Art, 29
PUBLISHED November ‒ 15 December 2014; Abu Dhabi: India House, 10 ‒ 18
K G Subramanyan, Sketches, Scribbles, Drawings, April 2015; Dubai: Sultan Bin Ali Al Owais Cultural Foundation, 15 ‒
Kolkata: Seagull Books, 1999, p. 90 14 April 2015; Bhubaneswar: Lalit Kala Akademi, Regional Centre, 2
‒ 11 September 2015; Lucknow: Lalit Kala Akademi Regional Centre,
e) Untitled 23 September ‒ 3 October 2015; Mumbai: Jehangir Art Gallery, 15
Initialled in Tamil (lower centre) ‒ 21 December 2015; Chennai: Lalit Kala Akademi Regional Centre,
1978 6 ‒ 16 January 2016; Santiniketan: Nandan Gallery, Kala Bhavana,
Brush and ink on card 5 ‒ 14 February 2016; Kolkata: The Harrington Street Arts Centre,
4 x 5.7 in (10.2 x 14.5 cm) 18 February ‒ 5 March 2016; Bhopal: Modern Art Gallery, Bharat
Bhawan, 18 March ‒ 17 April 2016; Patna: Bihar Lalit Kala Akademi,
PUBLISHED 24 June ‒ 5 July 2016; New Delhi: Aakriti Art Gallery, 30 July ‒ 29
K G Subramanyan, Sketches, Scribbles, Drawings, August 2016; Guwahati: Srimanti Sankaradeva Kalakshetra Society,
Kolkata: Seagull Books, 1999, p. 91 1 ‒ 20 November 2016; Ernakulam: Durbar Hall, 19 April ‒ 19 May
2017; Panaji: Sanskruti Bhavan, 5 ‒ 31 October 2017

80

ab
cd
ef
gh

81

45 f) Untitled

a) Untitled Initialled in Tamil (lower centre)
Initialled in Tamil (centre left) 1980
Circa 1980s Ballpoint pen and ink wash on card
Ballpoint pen and ink wash on card. 3.9 x 5.7 in (14.6 x 10.1 cm)
3.9 x 5.6 in (10.1 x 14.3 cm)
PUBLISHED
PUBLISHED
K G Subramanyan, Sketches, Scribbles, Drawings, Kolkata: K G Subramanyan, Sketches, Scribbles, Drawings, Kolkata:
Seagull Books, 1999, p. 91 Seagull Books, 1999, p. 93

b) Untitled g) Untitled
Initialled in Tamil (lower left)
Circa 1980s Initialled in Tamil and dated ‘80’ (lower right)
Brush and ink wash on card 1980
4 x 5.7 in (10.2 x 14.5 cm) Ballpoint pen and ink wash on card
5.7 x 3.9 in (14.7 x 10.1 cm)
PUBLISHED
K G Subramanyan, Sketches, Scribbles, Drawings, Kolkata: PUBLISHED
Seagull Books, 1999, p. 92
K G Subramanyan, Sketches, Scribbles, Drawings, Kolkata:
c) Untitled Seagull Books, 1999, p. 97
Initialled in Tamil (lower right)
Circa 1980s $4,865 ‒ 6,250
Brush and ink wash on card Rs 3,50,000 ‒ 4,50,000
5.6 x 4 in (14.4 x 10.2 cm)
(Set of seven)
PUBLISHED
K G Subramanyan, Sketches, Scribbles, Drawings, Kolkata: EXHIBITED
Seagull Books, 1999, p. 92
Sketches, Scribbles, Drawings, presented by The Seagull
d) Untitled Foundation for the Arts at Bangalore: National Gallery of
Initialled in Tamil and dated ‘80’ (lower centre) Modern Art, 29 November ‒ 15 December 2014; Abu Dhabi:
1980 India House, 10 ‒ 18 April 2015; Dubai: Sultan Bin Ali Al
Ballpoint pen and ink wash on card Owais Cultural Foundation, 15 ‒ 14 April 2015; Bhubaneswar:
5.7 x 3.9 in (14.7 x 10.1 cm) Lalit Kala Akademi, Regional Centre, 2 ‒ 11 September
2015; Lucknow: Lalit Kala Akademi Regional Centre, 23
PUBLISHED September ‒ 3 October 2015; Mumbai: Jehangir Art Gallery,
K G Subramanyan, Sketches, Scribbles, Drawings, Kolkata: 15 ‒ 21 December 2015; Chennai: Lalit Kala Akademi Regional
Seagull Books, 1999, p. 97 Centre, 6 ‒ 16 January 2016; Santiniketan: Nandan Gallery,
Kala Bhavana, 5 ‒ 14 February 2016; Kolkata: The Harrington
e) Untitled Street Arts Centre, 18 February ‒ 5 March 2016; Bhopal:
Initialled in Tamil (lower right) Modern Art Gallery, Bharat Bhawan, 18 March ‒ 17 April 2016;
1980 Patna: Bihar Lalit Kala Akademi, 24 June ‒ 5 July 2016; New
Ballpoint pen and ink wash on card Delhi: Aakriti Art Gallery, 30 July ‒ 29 August 2016; Guwahati:
4 x 5.6 in (14.3 x 10.2 cm) Srimanti Sankaradeva Kalakshetra Society, 1 ‒ 20 November
2016; Ernakulam: Durbar Hall, 19 April ‒ 19 May 2017; Panaji:
PUBLISHED Sanskruti Bhavan, 5 ‒ 31 October 2017
K G Subramanyan, Sketches, Scribbles, Drawings, Kolkata:
Seagull Books, 1999, p. 96

82

ab

e
cd

f
g

83

2008
K G Subramanyan attending the opening of his exhibition
Seagull Foundation for the Arts, Kolkata
Photograph by Bishan Sammadar

84

ab

46 EXHIBITED

a) Untitled Sketches, Scribbles, Drawings, presented by The Seagull
Initialled and dated in Tamil (lower centre) Foundation for the Arts at Bangalore: National Gallery of
Circa 1980s Modern Art, 29 November ‒ 15 December 2014; Abu Dhabi:
Ballpoint pen and ink wash on card India House, 10 ‒ 18 April 2015; Dubai: Sultan Bin Ali Al
3.9 x 5.6 in (10.1 x 14.3 cm) Owais Cultural Foundation, 15 ‒ 14 April 2015; Bhubaneswar:
Lalit Kala Akademi, Regional Centre, 2 ‒ 11 September
PUBLISHED 2015; Lucknow: Lalit Kala Akademi Regional Centre, 23
K G Subramanyan, Sketches, Scribbles, Drawings, September ‒ 3 October 2015; Mumbai: Jehangir Art Gallery,
Kolkata: Seagull Books, 1999, p. 114 15 ‒ 21 December 2015; Chennai: Lalit Kala Akademi Regional
Centre, 6 ‒ 16 January 2016; Santiniketan: Nandan Gallery,
b) Untitled Kala Bhavana, 5 ‒ 14 February 2016; Kolkata: The Harrington
Initialled in Tamil (lower right) Street Arts Centre, 18 February ‒ 5 March 2016; Bhopal:
Circa 1980s Modern Art Gallery, Bharat Bhawan, 18 March ‒ 17 April 2016;
Brush and ink wash on card Patna: Bihar Lalit Kala Akademi, 24 June ‒ 5 July 2016; New
4 x 5.7 in (10.2 x 14.5 cm) Delhi: Aakriti Art Gallery, 30 July ‒ 29 August 2016; Guwahati:
Srimanti Sankaradeva Kalakshetra Society, 1 ‒ 20 November
PUBLISHED 2016; Ernakulam: Durbar Hall, 19 April ‒ 19 May 2017; Panaji:
K G Subramanyan, Sketches, Scribbles, Drawings, Sanskruti Bhavan, 5 ‒ 31 October 2017
Kolkata: Seagull Books, 1999, p. 116

$1,390 ‒ 2,780
Rs 1,00,000 ‒ 2,00,000

This lot is offered at NO RESERVE

(Set of two)

85

86

a b

47

a) Untitled
Circa 1980s
Gouache on paper
13.5 x 8.25 in (34.2 x 20.9 cm)

b) Untitled
Circa 1980s
Gouache on paper
13.5 x 8.25 in (34.2 x 20.9 cm)

$4,170 ‒ 5,560
Rs 3,00,000 ‒ 4,00,000
(Set of two)

87

88

THE LIVING TRADITION
(1980s)

SANTINIKETAN AND OXFORD

LOTS 48‒71

Closing Time: Wednesday, 20 January 2021

8.30 pm (IST)
10 am (US Eastern Time)

89

“A sketch [. . .] records something that happens between the
artists and the object. Now closer to the artist, now closer to the
object, hanging in the tension in‒between. Or the memory or
recall of that tension. A composite of lines, scratches, smears,
swabs and dots, it recreates an object at the same time as it
learns its rhythm. And becomes an object itself. At times, the
artist keeps it to the essentials; at other times, he dresses it
up and makes it play a role. Set sail a narrative. Take one to
new shores of experience. And uncover new images. Hence
this ceaseless doodling—the unravelling of what is and then
its reknitting into novel composites.”  K G SUBRAMANYAN

90

a

b

48

a) Untitled
Initialled in Tamil (lower left)
Circa 1980s
Watercolour on paper
8 x 7 in (20.3 x 17.7 cm)

b) Untitled
Circa 1980s
Watercolour on paper
12.25 x 7.5 in (31.1 x 19 cm)

$2,780 ‒ 4,170
Rs 2,00,000 ‒ 3,00,000

(Set of two)

91

1982
Artists at the inauguration of Bharat Bhavan
Photograph by Jyoti Bhatt

92

49 EXHIBITED
Drawings of Women, presented by The Seagull Foundation for the Arts at Santiniketan:
Untitled Nandan Gallery, Kala Bhavana, 5 ‒ 14 February 2017; Patna: Bihar Museum, 3 ‒ 16
November 2017; Kolkata: Birla Academy of Art and Culture, 14 March ‒ 14 April 2018;
Initialled in Tamil (lower left) New Delhi: Art Heritage, 13 August ‒ 9 September 2018; Hyderabad: Kalakriti Art
1984 Gallery, 20 October ‒ 1 November 2018; Ahmedabad: L&P Hutheesingh Visual Art
Watercolour on paper Centre, 20 November ‒ 2 December 2018
12 x 14.5 in (30.5 x 36.8 cm)
PUBLISHED
$2,780 ‒ 4,170 R Siva Kumar, Women Seen and Remembered: Drawings of Women by K G Subramanyan,
Rs 2,00,000 ‒ 3,00,000 Kolkata: Seagull Books, 2017, p. 105

93

a 50

b a) Untitled
1989
c Ballpoint pen and watercolour on paper
94 12 x 7.5 in (30.4 x 190 cm)

PUBLISHED
R Siva Kumar, Women Seen and Remembered:
Drawings of Women by K G Subramanyan,
Kolkata: Seagull Books, 2017, p. 76

b) Untitled
Circa 1980s
Watercolour on paper
12.5 x 15 in (31.7 x 38.1 cm)

PUBLISHED
R Siva Kumar, Women Seen and Remembered:
Drawings of Women by K G Subramanyan,
Kolkata: Seagull Books, 2017, p. 76

c) Untitled
1987
Watercolour on paper
12.5 x 15.5 in (31.7 x 39.3 cm)

$8,335 ‒ 11,115
Rs 6,00,000 ‒ 8,00,000

(Set of three)

EXHIBITED
Drawings of Women, presented by The Seagull
Foundation for the Arts at Santiniketan: Nandan
Gallery, Kala Bhavana, 5 ‒ 14 February 2017; Patna:
Bihar Museum, 3 ‒ 16 November 2017; Kolkata:
Birla Academy of Art and Culture, 14 March ‒ 14
April 2018; New Delhi: Art Heritage, 13 August ‒ 9
September 2018; Hyderabad: Kalakriti Art Gallery,
20 October ‒ 1 November 2018; Ahmedabad: L&P
Hutheesingh Visual Art Centre, 20 November ‒ 2
December 2018 (a) and (b)

51

a) Untitled
1984
Watercolour on paper
10.5 x 6.5 in (26.6 x 16.5 cm)

b) Untitled
Circa 1980s
Watercolour on paper
7 x 12.5 in (17.7 x 31.7 cm)

$3,475 ‒ 4,865
Rs 2,50,000 ‒ 3,50,000
This lot is offered at NO RESERVE
(Set of two)

a

b
95

52 EXHIBITED

a) Untitled Sketches, Scribbles, Drawings, presented by The Seagull
Initialled in Tamil (lower left) Foundation for the Arts at Bangalore: National Gallery of
1987‒88 Modern Art, 29 November ‒ 15 December 2014; Abu Dhabi:
Watercolour on paper India House, 10 ‒ 18 April 2015; Dubai: Sultan Bin Ali Al
10.3 x 8.2 in (26.4 x 20.9 cm) Owais Cultural Foundation, 15 ‒ 14 April 2015; Bhubaneswar:
Lalit Kala Akademi, Regional Centre, 2 ‒ 11 September
PUBLISHED 2015; Lucknow: Lalit Kala Akademi Regional Centre, 23
K G Subramanyan, Sketches, Scribbles, Drawings, Kolkata: September ‒ 3 October 2015; Mumbai: Jehangir Art Gallery,
Seagull Books, 1999, p. 84 15 ‒ 21 December 2015; Chennai: Lalit Kala Akademi Regional
Centre, 6 ‒ 16 January 2016; Santiniketan: Nandan Gallery,
b) Untitled Kala Bhavana, 5 ‒ 14 February 2016; Kolkata: The Harrington
1987‒88 Street Arts Centre, 18 February ‒ 5 March 2016; Bhopal:
Watercolour on paper Modern Art Gallery, Bharat Bhawan, 18 March ‒ 17 April 2016;
11.5 x 8.25 in (26.4 x 20.9 cm) Patna: Bihar Lalit Kala Akademi, 24 June ‒ 5 July 2016; New
Delhi: Aakriti Art Gallery, 30 July ‒ 29 August 2016; Guwahati:
c) Untitled Srimanti Sankaradeva Kalakshetra Society, 1 ‒ 20 November
Initialled in Tamil (lower right) 2016; Ernakulam: Durbar Hall, 19 April ‒ 19 May 2017; Panaji:
1988 Sanskruti Bhavan, 5 ‒ 31 October 2017 (a)
Watercolour on paper
8.25 x 5.75 in (20.9 x 14.6 cm) The Oxford Drawings, presented by The Seagull Foundation
for the Arts at Santiniketan: Nandan Gallery, Kala Bhavana, 5
d) Untitled ‒ 19 February 2018; Hyderabad: Falaknama Palace, 1 July ‒ 30
Initialled in Tamil and dated ‘88’ (lower left) August 2019. (b) (c) (d) (e)
1988
Watercolour on paper Fairy Tales of Oxford and Other Paintings, Oxford: Museum of
8.25 x 5.75 in (20.9 x 14.6 cm) Modern Art, 1988. (b) (c) (d) (e)

e) Untitled
Initialled in Tamil (lower left)
1987‒88
Ink, pen and watercolour on paper
8.25 x 5.25 in (20.9 x 13.3 cm)

$11,115 ‒ 13,890
Rs 8,00,000 ‒ 10,00,000

(Set of five)

96

The following three lots were made in 1987, when the artist was invited to participate in a residency at Oxford, UK.

a
b

cde

97

98

53

a) Untitled
1987‒88
Watercolour on paper
9 x 7 in (22.8 x 17.7 cm)

b) Untitled
1987‒88
Watercolour on paper
9 x 7 in (22.8 x 17.7 cm)

c) Untitled
Initialled in Tamil (lower left)
1987‒88
Watercolour on paper

a 8.25 x 5.25 in (20.9 x 13.3 cm)

d) Untitled
Initialed in Tamil (lower left)
1987‒88
Watercolour on paper
8.25 x 5.25 in (20.9 x 13.3 cm)

$8,335 ‒ 11,115
Rs 6,00,000 ‒ 8,00,000

(Set of four)

EXHIBITED
The Oxford Drawings, presented by The Seagull Foundation for the
Arts at Santiniketan: Nandan Gallery, Kala Bhavana, 5 ‒ 19 February
2018; Hyderabad: Falaknama Palace, 1 July ‒ 30 August 2019
Fairy Tales of Oxford and Other Paintings, Oxford: Museum of Modern
Art, 1988

b

cd

99

a b

54 EXHIBITED
The Oxford Drawings, presented by The Seagull Foundation for the
a) Untitled Arts at Santiniketan: Nandan Gallery, Kala Bhavana, 5 ‒ 19 February
Initialled in Tamil, inscribed and 2018; Hyderabad: Falaknama Palace, 1 July ‒ 30 August 2019
dated ‘October 87’ (lower left) Fairy Tales of Oxford and Other Paintings, Oxford: Museum of Modern
1987 Art, 1988
Ink, pen and watercolour on paper
8.25 x 5.25 in (20.9 x 13.3 cm)

b) Untitled
Initialled in Tamil (lower right)
1987‒88
Ink, pen and watercolour on paper
8.25 x 5.25 in (20.9 x 13.3 cm)

$4,170 ‒ 5,560
Rs 3,00,000 ‒ 4,00,000
(Set of two)

100