100 Years of Raza: Large-scale art retrospective honours late Indian artist S H Raza

A retrospective honouring the remarkable life and work of the eminent artist SH Raza on the occasion of his 100th birth anniversary has opened its doors to the public in Dubai. (Source: PR Handout)

Titled 'Raza: The Other Modern,' it is open until May 31 and invites art connoisseurs to celebrate the late artist’s outstanding body of work and explore the depth of his artistic genius. (Source: PR Handout)

Presented by Progressive Art Gallery in collaboration with The Raza Foundation, this landmark exhibition showcases Raza's iconic Bindu series and his mesmerising abstraction, offering a journey through the evolving phases of his life and artistic endeavours. (Source: PR Handout)

Sayed Haider Raza, known simply as Raza, is a name that resonates with art aficionados worldwide. From the vibrant landscapes of Babaria village in Madhya Pradesh to the bustling art scene of Paris and back to India, Raza's journey embodies the power of artistic vision and cultural amalgamation. (Source: PR Handout)

In the vibrant, cosmopolitan city of Dubai, 'Raza: The Other Modern' finds a fitting backdrop, symbolising the synthesis of East and West, tradition, and modernity. This exhibition serves as a bridge between cultures, inviting visitors to explore the depth of Raza's artistic genius. (Source: PR Handout)

Talking about the exhibition, gallery director Harsh Vardhan Singh said, "'Raza: The Other Modern' not only celebrates the artist's remarkable body of work but also invites you to explore the depth of his artistic genius. As you walk through this retrospective, I encourage you to reflect on the spiritual and cultural resonance in Raza's creations." (Source: PR Handout)

“A number of shows have been held across the world to celebrate Raza’s birth centenary. The present show in Dubai is the latest in the series. Many of these have brought public attention to works that were either not accessible to or not seen before by the public. Almost all of them reaffirm that Raza merged his life and art seamlessly; that he made colours speak and sing; that he created art celebrating life and being; that he explored the possibility of the sacred through the sensuous; that he discovered a unique idiom for himself,” said Ashok Vajpeyi, director of the Raza Foundation and a lifelong friend of Raza’s. (Source: PR Handout)

As art historian and curator Yashodhara Dalmia puts it, the indigenous traditions of his country, where colours express mood, as well as the influences of abstract expressionism, inform Raza’s work. (Source: PR Handout)

Detailed essays by Dalmia, Gayatri Sinha, and Geeti Sen, elaborating on the artistic genius of Raza, find space in a book by Mapin Publishing, accompanying the exhibition. It will be launched during the ongoing exhibition. (Source: PR Handout)

Art critic and curator Gayatri Sinha writes that in Raza’s long career, one may trace at least three phases of abstraction, each seeking a different form of expressivity. Many of these works done in different styles, spanning the length and breadth of his work, will be on view at the Dubai gallery. (Source: PR Handout)