Vasudev Gaitonde was born in 1924 in Nagpur, Maharastra. He completed his art diploma at Sir. J. J. School of Art in Mumbai in 1948. He joined the Progressive Artists Group of Bombay. He had several exhibitions held in India as well as in foreign countries.
Gaitonde's abstract works are in many Indian and overseas collections including the Museum of Modern Art, New York. In 1957, he was awarded the first prize at the Young Asian Artists Exhibition, Tokyo and the Rockefeller Fellowship followed in 1964. In 1971, he was awarded the Padma Shri. by the Government of India.
Gaitonde experimented hugely with form and shape in his works. Gaitonde highly disregarded the title of ‘abstractionist’ labeled on him. Gaitonde preferred to enjoy a slow and a meticulous painting process unlike his contemporaries that is why he produced only a few finished works. Gaitonde’s use of symbolic element and very few ground lines made his work appear like a flowing river. Gaitonde makes a marvelous illusion of form, color and painting and he has the power to make simple objects to turn into spiritual elements. Gaitonde uses a roller and a palette knife, to throughly influence and mix different mediums on the canvas. Gaitonde’s work appears to radiate a meditative charm with large planar surfaces and subtle layers of paint on the canvas. His paintings have an attribute of light that seems to be complete in it. His work is influenced by Zen Philosophy and ancient Calligraphy.
Vasudev S. Gaitonde was regarded as one of the most finest and confined abstract painter of India V. S. Gaitonde was the first Indian contemporary painter whose work was sold above Rs. 90 lakhs at art auction.
Born :
Education :
- 1948 : Art diploma at J. J. School of Art in Mumbai
Group Show :
- 1963, 1959 : Graham art gallery, New York
- 1956 : The Indian art exhibition - East Europe
