| Medium | : | Mixed Media |
|---|---|---|
| Height | : | 7 inch / 17.8 cm |
| Width | : | 7 inch / 17.8 cm |
| Surface | : | Board |
| Style | : | Figurative Paintings |
| Dimension | : | W: 17.8 cm × H: 17.8 cm |
| Year | : | 1986 |
A striking mixed-media work by Sunil Das, Head (1986) transforms the human face into a powerful expression of emotion and psychological intensity. Through bold colours, textured layers, and energetic brushwork, the artist creates a compelling portrait that captures the complexity of the human spirit while showcasing his signature expressionist style.
Sunil Das | Head | Mixed Media on Board | 7 x 7 inches | 1986
“Head” (1986) by Sunil Das is a powerful example of the artist’s fearless exploration of the human psyche through form, colour, and gesture. Executed in mixed media on board, this compact yet intensely expressive work presents a distorted human visage rendered with vigorous brushwork and a fiery palette dominated by reds, yellows, and earthy tones. The face emerges from the surface with an almost sculptural presence, its features fragmented and reassembled in a manner that conveys raw emotion rather than physical likeness.
Sunil Das was renowned for capturing energy and instinct through bold, spontaneous mark-making, and this work embodies that spirit. The exaggerated facial structure, layered textures, and sweeping strokes create a sense of movement and psychological depth. The vibrant red mass surrounding the head functions almost like an aura, intensifying the emotional charge of the composition and drawing the viewer into its enigmatic presence.
Rather than portraying a specific individual, the artwork feels like a study of human emotion itself—an exploration of inner conflict, vulnerability, resilience, and identity. Thick applications of paint and dynamic textures reveal the artist’s hand at work, allowing the creative process to remain visible within the finished piece. The result is an image that is both confrontational and deeply engaging, inviting viewers to interpret its meaning through their own emotional experiences.
Despite its modest scale, Head possesses remarkable visual impact. It stands as a compelling testament to Sunil Das’s expressionist approach, where colour, texture, and form merge to create an artwork that is visceral, thought-provoking, and unforgettable.
Sunil Das is undoubtedly a multi-dimensional artist known for his furiously experimental and enterprising style. Born in 1939 in Calcutta, India, he studied at the Govt College of Art & Craft in Calcutta. On a scholarship from the French Government, he studied at the Ecole Nationale Superieure des Beaux-Arts in Paris.
The artist has painted across several oeuvres, each one distinctive and to which he brought his singular version. Not confining himself to using brush & pen while painting (even using the palms of his hands or his fingers) his paintings not only express the physical attributes of his subjects but also their associative ones. It was in the course of his travels that he chanced to spend a few months in Spain, where he developed his passion for horses and bulls.
The artist has won many medals and awards, including from the state government and the Lalit Kala Akademi. He has also been a part of juries and art bodies in India, France & Brazil. In 2014, he was conferred with the Padma Shri Award by the Government of India.
The artist passed away in 2015.
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