Page 21 - C.D. Mistry || Master of Fantasy || The Arts Trust
P. 21
In the late 1990s, Mistry felt the need to break the
monotony of his work and experiment, while still staying
true to his signature technique. He felt his creative
journey needed a new turn, and this led to the birth
of his Abhijeet series, where he chose subjects like the
horse, house, sun and humanoid figures. These works
were created using the same dry brush technique, with
rich colour combinations of red, yellow and green, and
stand out as remarkable creations from this phase.
He portrayed the raw strength and restless spirit in
striking and energetic forms—bright reds against deep
green backgrounds glowed with an electric intensity
encased in soft golden outlines. The use of such natural
motifs depicted not just physical power, but also desire,
ambition or untamed energy.
groves or flocks of herons under a deep blue sky. For
18 Mistry, the real beauty of a landscape came from going In the 2000s, Mistry introduced his Black & White 19
beyond the obvious and showing something deeper, series. For him, nature played an important role in
something almost spiritual, natural and pure... as if it shaping his art and he believed in staying closely
had to capture what the heart actually felt. connected to nature, not just observing it. Truly
enjoying it and drawing inspiration from it became
Mistry’s versatility as an artist is evident in his different second nature because of his experimental approach,
styles. In 1976, he was awarded at the exhibition and he felt that trying new methods would add depth
Glimpses of Palestine in War and Peace, held at the to his practise. In the series of black and white works,
Jehangir Art Gallery, Mumbai. This painting was a created on both canvas and paper, he explored fauna
powerful work that spoke about the pain and suffering and avifauna forms, intertwined and juxtaposed with
caused by war. It shows a skeletal figure with a hollow, human figures. Creatures like bulls, deer, horses and
disturbed body that instantly brings to mind fear, loss peacocks appeared frequently, and were linked to their
and helplessness. The clearly visible ribs and the face natural behaviours.
carry a deep sense of anguish. Through this raw and
unsettling image, Mistry showed how deeply violence Mistry reimagined them in his own way, adding
can affect both the body and the spirit. personal touches and focused on creativity. For
