Manjit Bawa

We authenticate, certify, issue certificates of authenticity (COA), appraise the value and broker the sale of paintings and drawings by Manjit BAWA.

Indian

Born in 1941, Dhuri, Punjab, India.

Died in 2008, New Delhi, India, aged 67.

He spent most of his life in India, where he became an influential figure in the Indian contemporary art scene. He also briefly lived in London, where he further developed his artistic practice and engaged with international art movements. His work, however, remained deeply rooted in his Indian heritage.

Typical Subject Matter:

Manjit Bawa primarily painted figurative works that often drew from Indian mythology, religion, and folk culture. His subjects ranged from spiritual figures such as gods and goddesses to sacred animals and mythological creatures. His works are often imbued with a sense of mysticism and symbolism. In his later works, he frequently depicted human figures, especially reclining women, and abstracted forms, often placed in dream-like environments.

His works were also informed by the Punjabi rural life of his childhood, with references to traditional village motifs like cattle, horses, and flying birds, as well as more contemporary themes that reflected modern India.

Typical Style:

Manjit Bawa is renowned for his distinctive symbolic use of colour, creating works that stand out for their vivid palettes and bold brushstrokes. His style blends traditional Indian art techniques with modernist sensibilities. His figures are often simplified and abstracted, with flowing lines and fluid forms that evoke a sense of movement and grace.

Visually, his works are characterized by strong colour contrasts, with an emphasis on rich reds, blues, yellows, and earth tones. His use of flat planes of colour and minimal, monochromatic backgrounds allows the figures to emerge as icons. The brushwork in his paintings is often bold, fluid, and expressive.

Typical Material and Media:

Manjit Bawa mostly worked with oil on canvas, but he also experimented with watercolour and mixed media.

Bawa also occasionally used ink and watercolour on paper to create sketches and smaller studies.

If you own a painting or a drawing by or attributed to Manjit Bawa, we would like to learn about it. Please send us photos or contact us at [email protected]. You will generally receive a response within 24 hours.