Basuki Dasgupta

Basuki Dasgupta’s oeuvre is rich and varied, from his free-associative, non-representational works, to paintings featuring his much loved, slant-eyed, puppet-like men and women.He casts a wide inspirational net, drawing from Bengali tribal lore and folk traditions, the symbolism of goddess Durga, the principle of Shakti and Baul music. Basuki Dasgupta grew up in Bishnupur, a small town in West Bengal, known for its 18th century terracotta temples. The earthy feel, textures and patterns found in these temples are mirrored in his rough-hewn and highly textured murals-on-canvas. The Bengali artist, who now lives and works in Tumkur, transforms the traditional decorative motifs of Indian temple architecture into dynamic and abstract shapes and forms. A master of the genre of contemporary folk art, Basuki Dasgupta's figurative and non-figurative works, steeped in saturated colours, symbolism and mythology, make poignant statements about the divide between rustic and modern, and the divine and human.