David Zwirner is pleased to present an exhibition of work by Indian artist Benode Behari Mukherjee (1904–1980) at the gallery’s London location. He was one of the earliest artists in modern India to take up to murals as a mode of artistic expression. Indian Modern Artist Custom Frames & Sizes. Mukherjee received two literary awards, the Rabindra Puraskar and the Bhartiya Bhasha Parishad Award, the latter in the year of his death. Born in 1904 in Behala, Bengal, Benode Behari Mukherjee joined Santiniketan in 1917 and Kala Bhavana in 1919, where he was one of the first students of Nandalal Bose. Mukherjee was born with a severe eye problem. In this post, we dig in to his background, his work, and his achievements. These included Arai Kampo, Yokoyama Taikan, Okakura, Hisbida Sbunso, Toba Sojo among many others. The movie shows his failed cataract operation and how he continued to devise new techniques in painting with his growing blindness. part 1: Anshuman Dasgupta talks about Indian artist Benodbehari’s 1946 mural ‘Life of Medieval Saints’. Born in 1904 in Behala, Bengal, Benode Behari Mukherjee joined Santiniketan in 1917 and Kala Bhavana in 1919, where he was one of the first students of Nandalal Bose. BENODEBEHARI MUKHERJEE | Between Sight and Insight | Glimpses of Benode Behari Mukherjee 19 January - 22 February 2019 D-40 Defence Colony. A mong the Santiniketan artists, Benode Behari Mukherjee & Ramkinkar Baij stand out with their experimental flamboyance. He was born with a chronic eye problem and completely lost his eyesight in 1956. Mukherjee turned to paper collage as a medium for artistic expression in 1957 when he lost his sight, at the age of fifty-three. He experimented with the Indian painting traditions of Rajput and Mughal miniatures, Western modern art, Far- Eastern traditions of calligraphy as well as Japanese and Chinese Ink And Wash style to create something befitting for the new India. What set him apart from many of his contemporaries was a combination of a remarkable understanding of his own capabilities and an intuitive sense of direction. Benode (also Binod) Behari Mukherjee was an Indian artist mainly known for his mural paintings. He was invited to be the Curator at the Nepal Government Museum, Kathmandu and later he taught at the Banathali Vidyapith, Rajasthan. Buy Birbhum In Summer- Benode Behari Mukherjee - Bengal School Indian Painting, Art by Benode Behari Mukherjee as Digital Prints & Canvas Prints. A visit to Japan in 1936 proved particularly significant as he was an admirer of the Tosa School of Painting. ); 9½ x 12½ in. Binode Behari Mukherjee (b.1904-d.1980) Free Shipping. His previous work – executed on paper or banana leaf parchment or as large-scale murals – had been largely representational, with subject matter ranging from flora from his native India to historical themes. বিনোদ বিহারী মুখার্জি ) (1904 - 1980) was an Indian / Bengali artist. Though he belonged to that era of Indian art where the trend was to hark back to the mythological and grand themes of Indian history and tradition, Benode Behari simplified the picture to represent his immediate surroundings. Categories: Bengal School Of Art Paintings, Indian Art, International Shipping, Landscapes, Test Collection Centenary Retrospective exhibition of Benodebehari Mukherjee curated by Gulammohammed Sheikh and R Siva Kumar organized by the Director, the NGMA, Prof Rajeev Lochan from December 30, ... and modelling unabated, it prompted Dinkar Koushik to remark that now Benode Behari had the light of vision at the tip of fingers. Mukherjee travelled widely, becoming for a brief while the curator at the Nepal Government Museum in Kathmandu, a period when he painted the country in a series of drawings and watercolours. Mukherjee was one of the pioneers of Indian modern art and a key figure of Contextual Modernism. B B Mukherjee was awarded the Padma Vibhushan in 1974. A student of Kala Bhavan in 1917, Benode Behari resisted attitudes of received wisdom. He was myopic in one eye and blind in the other. Binod Behari Mukerjee (1904–1980) was an Indian artist from West Bengal. Benode Behari Mukherjee follow Reclining Man, n.d. Collage on paper 7 1/2 x 9 inches (19.1 x 22.9 cm) Framed: 22 5/8 x 16 3/8 inches (57.4 x 41.7 cm) He was born with a chronic eye problem and completely lost his eyesight in 1956. Benode Behari eschewed mythological & historical themes with the same spirit of independence with which he refused to be drawn into the nationalist stream. A congenitally impaired vision that denied him normal schooling and resulted in a lonely childhood, brought him close to nature and had a deep impact on his art. Born in 1904, Binode Behari Mukherjee joined the Vishwa Bharti University and Kala Bhavan at Santiniketan, in 1919. Benode Behari Mukherjee (1904-1980), in his fictionalized memoir, Chitrakar, published in February 1979, described how he became blind as a consequence of a botched-up surgery in Delhi in 1957. He was taught under great artists like Nandalal Bose and went on to achieve great feats. The mural was done just before India’s Independence and in response to riots such as Noakhali’s; and is Benod Behari’s response to the division between Hindus … During his visit to Japan in 1937-38, he produced a vast plethora of artwork that was strongly influenced by artists and curators he met in India and during his visit. Benode Behari Mukherjee (1904–80) was a leading modernist artist and teacher at Kala Bhavana (Institute of Fine Arts) in Santiniketan, West Bengal. During his childhood, he suffered from an illness that affected his vision, making him blind in one eye and myopic in the other. He had Nandalal Bose and poet-Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore for gurus, and he spent his most creative phase at the institute. He also took to serious writing, using it as a tool to express his personal views on art. He was an Indian artist from West Bengal state. Born 1904, West Bengal, India His perceptions of the Santiniketan landscape and campus life found artistic expression in several compositional calligraphic paintings. On his return to Kala Bhawan, he lost his eyesight in an unsuccessful cataract operation in 1956. About The first solo presentation in Europe devoted to Mukherjee, the exhibition will focus on the artist’s collages from the late 1950s and 1960s, after he lost his sight. Benode Behari Mukherjee (1904 - 1980) was active/lived in India. As such, he was not able to pursue systematic education and instead, had to complete his schooling from a Brahmacharya Ashram. He was born with a chronic eye problem and completely lost his eyesight in 1956. GROUP SHOW | Narrow Road to the Interior 15 - 30 November, 2019 D-53 Defence Colony. From the solitary palm trees in Khoai region to the Santhal boys, bullock carts and the mud huts of Shantiniketan; all seem to convey a great ideological message- that of finding respite and spirituality in the mundane everyday life. "Blindness is a new feeling, a new experience, a new state of being". It shows his trip to Japan, the Nepal period and the school that he established in Dehradun. Benode Behari Mukherjee is one of the pioneers of 20th century Indian Contextual Modernism, taking inspiration from ancient Indian and foreign art styles. Benode Behari Mukherjee imbibed to this idea of a context sensitive modernism. He was able to pursue his vocation at the art faculty- Kala Bhawan at Shantiniketan. His previous work – executed on paper or banana leaf parchment or as large-scale murals – had been largely representational, with subject matter ranging from flora from his native India to historical themes. Benode Behari Mukherjee, Chitrakar - The Artist, Benode Behari Mukherjee, Untitled (Hunter), 1947, tempera on paper, 'The Inner Eye': The argument between eyesight and insight. The Indian Freedom Movement that emerged at the beginning of the twentieth century shook the preconceived notions and structures that had existed in India for over two centuries. He was born in Behala , Kolkata He broke away from the `Bengal Revivalist School`, and established a more modern school of art. Benode Behari Mukherjee is one of the pioneers of 20th century Indian Contextual Modernism, taking inspiration from ancient Indian and foreign art styles. It was the first time that an Indian artist had gone to Japan and held an exhibition there. Art Basel 2019: Vadehra Art Gallery, New Delhi decodes Benode Behari Mukherjee’s collages Up for view are Benode Behari Mukherjee's works, whose life as an artist and a pedagogue was an inspiration considering he was losing his eye sight yet continued teaching art history at Shantiniketan Want to know whats going on in the art world? Another undervalued artist – the Indian modernist Benode Behari Mukherjee (1904-80) – is presented alongside Asawa at David Zwirner. Available for sale from Vadehra Art Gallery, Benode Behari Mukherjee, Mussorie- Landscape (Coolie) (1953), Watercolour on paper, 11 × 15 in The Ceramic tile mural at Kala Bhavan (1958) was made purely by touch after he had completely lost his eye sight. David Zwirner is pleased to present an exhibition of work by Indian artist Benode Behari Mukherjee (1904–1980) at the gallery’s London location. Later in his life, the sharp lines of pen ink and graphite give way to blurred lines and brush strokes that are not only symbolic of his close association with Japanese artistic traditions but also of the blurring of his own vision. Featured Artist: Benode Behari Mukherjee Decrease Font Size Increase Font Size Text Size Print This Page Send by Email Born with severe eye problem, being myopic on one eye and blind in the other Benode Behari Mukherjee was one of the pioneers of Indian modern art and a key figure of Contextual Modernism. Benode Behari Mukherjee, Untitled (flowers), 1960, blurred ink and wash brush strokes, A versatile genius- Murals and other media, Going through his paintings, one comes across media as diverse as 'ink and wash', 'calligraphy', 'pen and ink landscapes', 'pen and ink compositions', 'wood cut prints', 'collage on paper', 'tempera on paper'. Author Avinash Subramaniam Published November 10, 2016 Binod Behari Mukherjee was born into a highly literate family in the year 1904. VADEHRA ART GALLERY D-40 Defence Colony, New Delhi 110024, India | T +91 11 24622545 / 24615368 D-53 Defence Colony, New Delhi 110024, India | T + 91 11 46103550/ 46103551 / 65474005 Benode Mukherjee is known for Painting. Benode Behari Mukherjee was exceptionally drawn to the Far- Eastern cultures and interacted with traveling artists, learning Japanese calligraphy, ink and wash technique and their spiritual traditions. The Bengal School of Art, Indian Society of Oriental Art, and Contextual Modernism all survived under one roof. David Zwirner is pleased to present an exhibition of work by Indian artist Benode Behari Mukherjee (1904–1980) at the gallery’s London location. The expressionism of his early works may be compared with the work of the German expressionist group Die Brucke. He taught at Visva-Bharati University in Santiniketan. We see documentation of his visit to Japan in paintings like Picture Dealer's Shop in Japan as well as a blend of Indian themes and Far- Eastern techniques in paintings like Santhal boys with a Bullock Cart (1952). This is why he is associated with modernity in all spheres, from conceptualization to execution. Benode Behari Mukherjee, Untitled (men and women in mud huts), Japanese Influence and the Indian Society of Oriental Art. He is one of the four great Indian artists of all the time who are featured in Contextual Modernism. Benode Behari Mukherjee (7 February 1904 – 11 November 1980) was an Indian artist from West Bengal state. A blind child from a poor family did not have much exposure to the grandiose and he aspired to create works that would kindle spirituality in the everyday things. Contextual Modernism or Counter Culture of Modernity or Colonial Modernity are terms used to describe alternate modernity that emerged in non- European contexts. Lived and worked in India, Nepal and Tokyo. Mukherjee renounced the overt symbolism of mythology in favour of themes from everyday life. He painted with a vast variety of mediums including watercolors, pen and ink, tempera, woodcut prints and all of these seem to be conveying the same message- that of finding respite and spirituality in the mundane everyday life. Benode Behari Mukherjee on the set of 'The Inner Eye', Artist preparing paper cuts for the ceramic mural, Spiritual subject matter emerging from life experiences. All his murals depict a subtle understanding of environmental through pioneering architectural nuances. Benode Behari Mukherjee says about his blindness "Blindness is a new feeling, a new experience, a new state of being". Benode Behari Mukherjee was born in Behala, in the state of West Bengal in 1904, now recently included into Kolkata. Benode Behari Mukherjee was a leading Indian modernist artist and teacher at Kala Bhavana in Santiniketan. He painted with a vast … The first solo presentation in Europe devoted to Mukherjee, the exhibition will focus on the artist’s collages from the late 1950s and 1960s, after he lost his sight. He joined his alma mater as an art teacher in 1925. Contextual Modernism: A freedom to explore and innovate. In 1973, Satyajit Ray made a documentary on his work, called The Inner Eye. Binod Behari Mukherjee (Bengali: বিনোদ বিহারী মুখার্জি) (7 February 1904 – 11 November 1980) was an Indian artist from West Bengal state. The first solo presentation in Europe devoted to Mukherjee, the exhibition will focus on the artist’s collages from the late 1950s and 1960s, after he lost his sight. He began making drawings and small sculptures based upon figural images achieved by folding paper. BENODE BEHARI MUKHERJEE (1904-1980) Nepal initialed 'BBM' and signed in Bengali (center right); inscribed and dated 'Patna - Subject Nepal - Tempra - 31.7 x 22.7 - 28.9.56' (on the reverse); signed in Bengali (lower left); inscribed and dated 'Patna - Subject Nepal - Tempra - 31.5 x 24.7 - 26.9.56' (on the reverse) tempera on paper 9 x 12½ in. BinodBihari Mukherjee was a major inspiration for filmmaker Satyajit Ray. He was also passionate about calligraphy and sculpturing. The twenty minute documentary shows his early life and the many influences in his life. He was one of the pioneers of Indian modern art and was one of the earliest artists in India to use murals as an art form. “Since then it’s been almost 20 years that I haven’t seen light. Binode Behari Mukherjee (1904-1980) played a crucial role in the evolution of visual art in India. Mukherjee turned to paper collage as a medium for artistic expression in 1957 when he lost his sight, at the age of fifty-three. Benode Behari Mukherjee is one of the pioneers of 20th century Indian Contextual Modernism, taking inspiration from ancient Indian and foreign art styles. A congenitally impaired vision that denied him normal schooling and resulted in a lonely childhood, brought him close to nature and had a deep impact on his art. YOUDHISTHIR MAHARJAN | A Thread of Truth 23 August - 20 September, 2019 Being myopic in one eye and blind in the other since birth, Benode Behari Mukherjee could not pursue normal schooling but born into a well-educated family in Behala, Bengal who recognised his exceptional interest in art and literature. Experimenting constantly in his drawings, sketches, woodcuts, dry-points and lithographs, he soon diversified to mural paintings. His collages are … Mukherjee was one of the pioneers of Indian modern art and a key figure of Contextual Modernism. The Sculpture show 2016 open on 10th Aug at Art Alive Gallery, New Delhi, India. Blending together Indian artistic traditions and Western Modernism, Benode Behari Mukherjee produced a remarkable variety of drawings, collages, wall frescoes and more. Though Mukherjee turned completely blind by the time he turned 50, his creative urge remained undiminished. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. He worked across a wide range of media including drawing, print making, sculptures, paper collages and as well as large scale murals. Mukherjee's disciple and one of the greatest film makers in India, Satyajit Ray directed a movie on his life called "The Inner Eye" that stars the artist himself. Even on losing his eyesight, his creativity did not diminish, rather it diversified in media like drawings and small sculptures, paper-cuts and prints; he even a large mural in ceramic tiles based upon figural images by folding papers. His work, and his achievements validation purposes and should be left unchanged and instead had. 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