Page 5 - Jehangir Sabavala - TheArtsTrust

FOREWORD

W
hen it comes to Modern Indian Art, Jehangir Sabavala
holds his own special place. In a painting career
spanning more than 60 years, Sabavala’s artistic
practice was marked by a restless search for a unique
visual language. His works, often infused with a sense of solitude and
mysticism, depict landscapes that transcend the physical and become realms
of contemplation. Whether painting vast, dreamlike terrains, hooded figures, or
luminous skies, he was deeply preoccupied with the themes of journey, exile, and
spiritual ascension.
Sabavala’s ability to merge structure with emotion, geometry with poetry, and
precision with the ephemeral sets him apart in the canon of Modern Indian Art.
It was his focus on creating a balance, a symmetry of sorts in each work—be it a
canvas replete with colour or a sketch marked by minimal strokework—that proved
to be an overarching trademark. As he delved deeper into the practice of art, he
eventually created an artistic idiom that was quite his own. His body of work reflects
his constant evolution, and the selected works showcase the best of his oeuvre and
his larger-than-life persona.
This book explores the life and art of Jehangir Sabavala, tracing his development
from an academically rigorous painter to a visionary artist who defied categorisation.
By examining his influences, stylistic shifts, and thematic concerns, we hope to gain
insights into the mind of the painter who constantly sought to push the boundaries
of his own expression, while remaining deeply engaged with the world around him.

Vickram Sethi
Chairman, The Arts Trust

2 3