Tribute to Painters I Admire

‘Tribute to Painters I Admire was done in admiration of Francis Bacon and Chaim Soutine and how they addressed, through their works, the hostile, traumatic sides of the modern world of the twentieth century, the effects of the First and Second World Wars, and the killings of millions of people during fascist, Nazi movements and the communist revolution,’ notes Navjot, ‘whereas the philosophy of communism values humanism and socialism, and negates hostility to democracy.’ The ode is a nod to her understanding of world events through voracious Marxist readings and literature, and the resultant conversations with her husband, painter Altaf, as well as friends and peers who made up the intelligentsia of Bombay. ‘I like the theatricality in Bacon’s work and a sense of inner psyche expressed through the intense use of thick paint in Soutine’s paintings,’ she adds. ‘My engagement with Marxist and feminist studies and continuing political activities since the 1970s outside the comfort zone of my studio helped me learn to develop a critical perspective.’