SOHAN QADRI (1932-2011)

UNTITLED
MIXED MEDIA AND WATERCOLOUR ON HANDMADE PAPER
SIGNED AND DATED "QADRI '04"

A MEDITATIVE ABSTRACT COMPOSITION OF TWO SYMMETRICAL BANDS OF INCISED RED VERTICAL STROKES, GRADUATING IN HEIGHT AND CONVERGING TOWARDS A SMALL WHITE CIRCULAR POINT AT THE CENTRE. THE FORM RECALLS AN HOURGLASS OR AN OPENING AND CLOSING APERTURE. THE GLOWING RED PIGMENT IS SET AGAINST A DEEP MAROON-BLACK GROUND, AND THE DECKLE-EDGED, HEAVILY TEXTURED PAPER ADDS A TACTILE, ALMOST SCULPTURAL SURFACE.

THE WORK REFLECTS QADRI'S LONG ENGAGEMENT WITH TANTRIC AND YOGIC PHILOSOPHY, WHERE COLOUR, REPETITION AND THE CENTRAL BINDU POINT FUNCTION AS AIDS TO MEDITATION AND INNER STILLNESS. IT SHOWS THE CHARACTERISTIC DEPTH OF HIS LATE WORKS ON HANDMADE PAPER.