Description
Artist Details
Suhas Roy
Suhas Roy was a distinguished Indian artist best known for his evocative Radha series—a collection of paintings depicting luminous, introspective women who often gaze dreamily into the distance. These ethereal portraits, while rooted in the mythological character of Radha, became timeless representations of feminine grace, beauty, and subtle melancholy.
Born in Dacca (now Dhaka), in present-day Bangladesh, Roy experienced a challenging childhood after the early loss of his father. With the unwavering support of his mother, he pursued a career in the arts, studying at the Indian College of Arts and Draughtsmanship in Calcutta—a place he would eventually return to as principal.
Roy’s artistic journey was rich and varied. Though his Radha series came to define his later career, his earlier works included etchings, landscapes, and religious subjects like Christ. He also explored printmaking and glass painting. A strong believer in the importance of beauty in art, he often sought to create works that embodied poetic femininity.
After completing his studies, Roy traveled to Paris on a scholarship alongside contemporaries like Jogen Chowdhury and Dipak Bannerjee. There, he trained in graphic arts under S. W. Hayter at Atelier 17 and studied mural art at the École Supérieure des Beaux-Arts. His travels through Southern Europe, particularly his time visiting churches,
deeply influenced his series on Jesus Christ. Additionally, his landscapes began to reflect the minimalist influence of Japanese artist Taikan.
Roy was not untouched by socio-political realities; his Disaster series powerfully responded to the turbulence of the Naxalite movement in Bengal. He later served as a professor of painting at Kala Bhavana, Santiniketan, leaving a lasting mark on the Indian art education landscape.
Suhas Roy passed away on October 18, 2016, in Kolkata, leaving behind a legacy of grace, introspection, and quiet power in contemporary Indian art.
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