Ganesh Pyne Indian, 1937-2013

Born in 1937 in Kolkata, Ganesh Pyne studied at the Government College of Art and Craft, Kolkata. The foremost exponent of the Bengal School of Art, Pyne has blended romanticism, fantasy and an inventive play of light and dark, within the labyrinths of the subconscious, in his works. His signature style was shaped from his own experiences of solitude, alienation, pain and horror as well as moods of tenderness and serenity that sometimes arose in his work.

Pyne participated in several solo shows, including the Centre of International Modern Art, Kolkata (2014–14, 2010); Vadehra Art Gallery, New Delhi (2013); Gallerie 88, Mumbai (2005); and the National Gallery of Modern Art, Mumbai (2000), among others. His group shows include Sakshi Gallery, Mumbai (2012); Vadehra Art Gallery, New Delhi (2012, 2010); and the Centre of International Modern Art, Kolkata (2010), to name a few.

He received many accolades in his lifetime, including the Raja Ravi Varma Award from the Kerala Government in 2011, a Lifetime Achievement Award, Star Ananda, Kolkata, in 2008, the Abainindra Puraskar, Government of West Bengal, in 2004, and the Gagan Abani Puraskar, Visva Bharati, in 1997.

The artist died in 2013.