Abdulrahim Apabhai Almelkar, Indian, 1920-1982; Maharashtra, Bangalore, Mumbai.

"Untitled (Two Trees)" is a mixed media on paper that is signed and dated (1957) lower left. 12.75 x 14.74 in image, 18 x 20 in frame.

Directly from artist

Private Collection, MN

Abdulrahim Apabhai Almelkar (or Abdul Rahim Amelkar) began painting at age seven. He received formal art training at the Sir J. J. School of arts in Mumbai, winning several awards from the Art Society of India and the Bombay Art Society. He was inspired by the stylized paintings of Khatri, which emphasized high detail and elements from the tradition of miniature art. Amelkar created art on the subject of ordinary folk such as fishermen and tribal people. Amelkar applied colors with his fingers and finished with waterproof ink outlines. Some of his paintings were finished with the paste of cowrie shells for surface shine. Amelkar travelled to the Vidharbha jungles to sketch trees and birds as well as the local, tribal inhabitants. This mixed media gouache shows two (fringe-eared or scimitar-horned) Oryx standing beneath two trees. The image is quite fanciful; the trees have red trunks and immense white flowers and leaves, which are surrounded by wave-like forms and apparently blue mountains in the background. The energy present in flowing forms is unceasingly pleasant. Amelkar exhibited throughout India, including Mumbai, Hyderabad, Calcutta and Chennai and won the Gold medal at the Bombay Art Society in 1953-54. He also exhibited abroad including Singapore in 1965. His work can be found in the permanent collection of the National Gallery of Modern Art, New Delhi. Keywords: Indian Art, India, Javanese influence, Nutan Kala Mandir, Malaysia, Asia