MANJIT BAWA (1941–2008) UNTITLED (GANESHA) 1981 PENCIL ON PAPER 11 × 9 IN

A REFINED AND INTIMATE PENCIL DRAWING BY MANJIT BAWA, DATED 1981, DEPICTING A STYLIZED FIGURE OF GANESHA RENDERED IN THE ARTIST’S DISTINCTIVE FLUID AND MINIMALIST LINE. THE COMPOSITION FEATURES THE ELEPHANT-HEADED DEITY SEATED IN A COMPACT, SCULPTURAL FORM, WITH SOFTLY MODELED CONTOURS AND DELICATE HATCHING THAT CREATE A SENSE OF VOLUME AND QUIET PRESENCE.

THE SIMPLIFICATION OF FORM AND EMPHASIS ON RHYTHMIC OUTLINE REFLECT BAWA’S UNIQUE SYNTHESIS OF INDIAN MINIATURE TRADITIONS AND MODERNIST AESTHETICS. THE WORK CAPTURES BOTH THE PLAYFUL AND SPIRITUAL ESSENCE OF GANESHA, A RECURRING SUBJECT IN THE ARTIST’S OEUVRE, SYMBOLIZING WISDOM, PROTECTION, AND AUSPICIOUS BEGINNINGS.

SIGNED AND DATED LOWER LEFT: “MANJIT ’81.”