Untitled, Figurative

Medium:Mixed Media
Height:42 inch / 106.7 cm
Width:48 inch / 121.9 cm
Surface:Canvas
Style:Animals paintings, Figurative Paintings
Dimension:W: 121.9 cm × H: 106.7 cm
Year:2008

An introspective studio scene featuring a seated male figure, a reclining woman, and sculptural elements — blending themes of identity, art, and quiet human connection in a muted, contemplative palette.

Description

Bijan Choudhury | Untitled | Mixed Media on Canvas | 42 x 48 inches | 2008

This striking artwork feels like stepping into a quiet, intimate studio where art, identity, and introspection come together. At the center sits a muscular male figure, his back turned yet expressive in its own way — his posture relaxed, one arm lifted casually as if caught in a moment of pause. His face, stylized and mask-like, adds an intriguing layer of detachment, as though he is both present and emotionally distant at the same time.

In the background, a reclining female figure rests on a bed, her presence soft yet watchful, creating a subtle tension between the two subjects. Nearby, sculptural heads and objects hint at the artist’s world — suggesting themes of creation, observation, and the blurred line between living forms and crafted ones. The muted palette of greys, earthy browns, and soft tones gives the composition a grounded, almost meditative quality.

There’s a quiet narrative unfolding here — one that speaks of solitude, artistic contemplation, and human connection, yet leaves enough unsaid for the viewer to interpret. It feels less like a scene and more like a fleeting thought captured on canvas.

Artist Bijan Choudhury was born in Faridpur in 1931. He was one of the early practitioners of contemporary art in Bengal. Every serious workshop would find him involved in an exchange of thoughts and idioms of visual and literary expressions.Born to journalist Kunjabehari Chowdhury, Bijan Chowdhury was raised in an atmosphere steeped in music, painting and drama. Bijan Choudhury has worked on the imagery of Bengali poetry as it has evolved since its earliest days to the present, covering almost more than four centuries of poetical development.

His paintings have narrative elements but are in no way illustrative. He is here both as a composer and interpreter. His archetypal imagery and symbolism are not explicit as in the recent Indian variety of Surrealism and fantastic art. He has always avoided the sensational and the fearful aspects of art. He has searched for significant visual forms that have behind them the range and scope of Human Art since the earliest cave dwelling days.

Since his early days at Kolkata’s Govt College of Art and Craft he was deeply involved in Marxist politics. This led to his being expelled before completing his diploma but strengthened his bond with Dhaka as it prompted him to graduate from their Govt Institute of Arts. And till his last breath he considered Bangladesh to be his own.

Artist Bijan Chowdhury passed away in 2012.

Education
1945-49: GCAC, Kolkata; 1953: Grad., Govt. Institute of Arts, Dhaka.

Exhibitions
1959 Group show, Society of Contemporary Artists, Calcutta.
1960 Group show, Society of Contemporary Artists, Calcutta.
1960 Bangla Sanskriti Sammelan, Calcutta and Bombay.
1962 Solo show at Arts and Prints Gallery, Calcutta.
1963 Solo show at Arts and Prints Gallery, Calcutta.
1963 Solo Exhibition at Patna.
1964 Eight Painters from Calcutta, AIFACS Gallery, New Delhi.
1964 Calcutta Painters group show, Calcutta.
1965 Calcutta Painters group show, Calcutta.
1966 Show in honour of Giacometti, Industry House, Calcutta.
1968 Exhibition with Paritosh Sen, Pravas Sen, Sarbari Roy Chowdhury, Mahim Rudra, Calcutta.
1969 West Bengal Artists, sponsored by Srinantwu, Bombay.
1974 Exhibition at Birla Academy of Art & Culture, Calcutta.
1974 Calcutta Painters group show, Birla Academy of Art & Culture, Calcutta.
1975 Calcutta Painters group show, Sridharani Art Gallery, New Delhi.
1975 Participated in the Third Triennale, New Delhi.
1977 Retrospective, Allai

Awards
1963 Academy of Fine Arts Award, Calcutta.
1978 Rabindra Bharati Award, Calcutta.
1978 Documentary coloured film entitled `Bijan`, made by Film Australia, Film Division of Govt. of Australia.
1995 `Abanindra Puroshkar`, Govt. of West Bengal, Calcutta.
1996 : He also received William Carey Award.
2004: Doctor of Literature, RBU


Shipment DetailsThis artwork will be shipped unframed, either in roll form or flat, depending on its requirements—at no additional cost.

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