The market for South Asian Art has boomed in recent years. With fantastic artists from across the region that straddle both modern and contemporary worlds, it is an incredibly exciting collecting category that continues to gather pace. Here, Specialist Priya Singh talks us through the key artists to watch out for, and why now is the time to buy ahead of the Modern and Contemporary South Asian Art auction on 10 December 2024.

1.

Maqbool Fida Husain

A household name whose appeal transcends borders and nationalities, Husain is perhaps the first artist that comes to mind when thinking of South Asian Art. His oeuvre spans multiple decades, and to choose just one theme to describe his works would be impossible, if not entirely erroneous. However, Husain is much loved for his depiction of horses, examples of which can be seen throughout our auctions, such as Untitled (Horse) which is offered in our upcoming November auction under the estimate of £120,000-180,000.

Maqbool Fida Husain’s initial interest in art was piqued through his study of calligraphy at a madrasa and his studies at the Sir J J School of Art. He honed his skills in the 1930s while painting posters for the Bollywood industry and painting landscapes in Gujarat, before becoming a founding member of the 1947 Progressive Artists Group. As part of this collective, formed after the partition of India, Husain sought to create a new artistic movement that opposed the nationalistic rhetoric espoused by the Bengal School.

Over a career that spanned decades, Husain employed a modified Cubist style to depict subjects including Ramayana, Mother Teresa, the Mahabharata and the British Raj, as well as Indian urban and rural life. He held numerous exhibitions over his career, notably his first solo exhibition in Zurich in 1952, at India House in New York in 1964, and at the São Paulo Biennale in Brazil in 1971. He was also the recipient of multiple awards, including honorary doctorates from the universities of Benares, Mysore and Jamia Millia, the Padma Shri in 1955, and the Aditya Vikram Birla Kala Shikhar Award for Lifetime Achievement in 1997, amongst many more.

2.

Jagdish Swaminathan

Swaminathan (1928–1994) was a pivotal figure in modern Indian art, known for his commitment to creating a distinctly Indian modernism that honoured indigenous forms, folk traditions, and tribal art. His unique approach to abstraction and symbolism set him apart from his contemporaries, as he sought to transcend Western art conventions and instead drew deeply from India's rich visual and cultural heritage. Swaminathan co-founded Group 1890 in 1963, a collective that challenged the prevailing art styles and called for a return to native forms of expression. He believed that art should not only reflect the aesthetic but also serve as a bridge to India's ancient spiritual and cultural symbols.

Swaminathan's works are marked by their earthy palettes, bold forms, and spiritual depth. His abstract landscapes often incorporate symbols, like triangles and birds, drawn from tribal and folk traditions, inviting viewers to connect with the natural and metaphysical worlds. His emphasis on cultural authenticity has influenced subsequent generations of Indian artists, making him a foundational figure in Indian art history.

Today, Swaminathan's works hold immense value for collectors as they represent a groundbreaking vision that challenged the dominance of Western art norms. His paintings offer a timeless, meditative quality, bridging the traditional and the modern. For collectors, acquiring Swaminathan's work is an investment in a legacy that redefined Indian modernism, celebrating a unique fusion of indigenous and contemporary elements that remain deeply relevant and inspiring.

3.

Zarina Hashmi

Zarina Hashmi (1937–2020), known simply as Zarina, was an Indian-American artist celebrated for her minimalist approach that bridged personal memory, migration, and a deep sense of place. Her work is characterized by a restrained use of line and form, often executed in monochromatic prints, etchings, woodcuts, and sculptures. Influenced by her early training in mathematics and architecture, Zarina developed a language of abstraction that remains deeply connected to themes of home, displacement, and identity.

Her experiences of partition, migration, and exile deeply informed her art, with maps, borders, and floor plans becoming recurring motifs that evoke a sense of loss and longing. Works like Untitled (Thread and Paper) and Travels with Rani reflect her personal geography, mapping not just physical locations but also emotional landscapes tied to her memories.

Collecting Zarina’s work is significant as her pieces are not only visually profound but carry a narrative of migration and resilience that resonates universally. Her exploration of identity, belonging, and loss has gained even more relevance in today’s global context, where displacement and questions of cultural heritage continue to affect millions.

Her works transcend cultural boundaries, inviting viewers to contemplate their own connections to place and identity. Although Zarina is no longer with us, her legacy lives on through her art, making her works invaluable for collectors who appreciate art that speaks to universal themes in a timeless, poignant manner. Her contributions to contemporary art make her work a treasured part of any serious collection focused on personal and collective histories.

4.

Sayed Haider Raza

Considered one of the most pivotal painters of his generation, Sayed Haider Raza blended the verve of the avant-garde with the deep spirituality of his homeland. Born in Mandla, India in 1922, he initially studied at the Sir J.J. School of Art in Mumbai and in 1947, co-founded the Progressive Artists’ Group alongside Francis Newton Souza, Krishnaji Howlaji Ara and Maqbool Fida Husain, whose radical vision sought to liberate Indian art from the influences of European realism. In 1950 he accepted a scholarship to study at the prestigious Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Beaux Arts in Paris, but retained strong ties to India. He remained in Paris for more than half a century before returning to India in 2010 for the remainder of his life.

Although he first focused on representational, gestural landscapes, his work later evolved into geometric, abstract landscapes of the mind that deploy a mastery of colour. But his best-known work is within the concept of the Bindu, a circular motif that literally means ‘dot’, but embodies the centre of all creation in Indian philosophy.

Raza has been exhibited widely, and his work features in collections around the world, including that of the Fukuoka Asian Art Museum, the San Jose Museum of Art, the Musée d’Art Moderne de la Ville de Paris and the National Gallery of Art in Delhi. It’s a moment of renewed interest in the artist, whose work has previously achieved six-figure auction results, following a recent exhibition at the Centre Pompidou in Paris.

5.

Senaka Senanayake

Senaka Senanayake’s artistic journey began with an impressive display of talent at an exceptionally young age; he held his first solo exhibition at just ten years old. His early work, influenced by his Sri Lankan heritage and global exposure, was grounded in a modernist approach, with an emphasis on strong forms, vivid colours, and a fascination with both tropical landscapes and cultural motifs. Over time, Senanayake’s style evolved as he expanded his understanding of art’s potential to serve as a voice for environmental advocacy. This shift saw him move away from purely aesthetic explorations to embrace a deeply symbolic style that celebrates, and advocates for, the natural beauty and endangered rainforests of Sri Lanka.

In his more recent work, Senanayake captures the lush, intricate ecosystems of the tropics with mesmerizing detail, filling canvases with flora, fauna, and complex jungle compositions. His paintings are not only visually arresting but carry a message about the fragility of nature in the face of deforestation and environmental degradation. Each work is a vibrant homage to the biodiversity of the rainforests and a call for conservation, reflecting his commitment to environmental awareness.

Senanayake’s works are important for collectors because they encapsulate both artistic excellence and a powerful message about the urgency of ecological preservation. Collecting his art is an investment in pieces that are visually impactful and culturally significant. His works serve as both aesthetic treasures and symbols of environmental responsibility, appealing to collectors who value art’s ability to inspire change and protect our natural world.

6.

S. Bakre

Sadanand Bakre (1920–2007), commonly known as S. Bakre, was a pioneering Indian sculptor and painter who played a crucial role in India’s modern art movement. As one of the founding members of the Progressive Artists' Group (PAG) in 1947 alongside M.F. Husain, F.N. Souza, and others, Bakre was instrumental in breaking away from traditional Indian art forms, advocating for a new, modernist vision that embraced abstraction, experimentation, and individuality. Although initially trained as a sculptor, Bakre transitioned to painting in the 1950s, bringing a distinct sculptural sensibility to his canvases. His paintings often explore bold, abstract compositions with an expressive and textured quality, reflecting his unique fusion of Western influences with Indian subject matter.

Bakre’s contribution to Indian art is significant for his bold departure from traditional forms and his embrace of modernism. He brought a fresh perspective that blended global artistic ideas with local sensibilities, pushing the boundaries of Indian art at a time when the country was redefining its identity post-Independence. Despite his contributions, Bakre’s work remains relatively underappreciated compared to his PAG contemporaries, making his works rare and desirable in today’s art market.

Collecting Bakre’s work is an investment in a foundational figure of modern Indian art, whose sculptures and paintings capture a transformative period in India’s cultural history. For collectors, Bakre’s art offers both historical significance and a unique aesthetic that bridges sculpture and painting, making it a valuable addition to any collection focused on the evolution of Indian modernism.

7.

K.H. Ara

K.H. Ara (1914–1985) was an Indian modernist painter and a founding member of the Progressive Artists' Group (PAG) in Bombay, alongside prominent artists like F.N. Souza and M.F. Husain. Ara's background was humble; he moved to Bombay from Andhra Pradesh and worked in various trades before finding his way into the art world, becoming known for his colourful, expressive paintings.

Known for his bold and sometimes controversial approach, Ara brought a distinctively Indian sensitivity to modernist techniques. His early works focused on cityscapes and still lifes, while his later years saw a focus on the female nude, which became a recurring theme in his practice. These works, painted with a raw, expressive style, were groundbreaking at the time and were among the first to openly explore the nude form in Indian modern art.

Ara’s importance to Indian art stems from his fearless experimentation and dedication to portraying authentic, everyday subjects without embellishment. His style was rooted in realism but infused with vibrant colour, creating compositions that were both accessible and revolutionary for the Indian art scene. His commitment to bringing art to the masses, as well as his unique perspective, helped redefine Indian art’s boundaries during a transformative period in the country’s cultural history.