Prabhakar Barwe

Acquired from a UK auction sale circa 2020

Acquired from the above circa 2022

'During the 1970s, when he worked at the Weavers' Service Centre, Bombay, Barwe mapped his course between the opposites of dream and design. He cast off the Neo-Tantric idiom that had occupied him during the preceding decade and embarked on a series of pictorial experiments with diagrams and symbols, elaborating a universe of light, fantastic forms, an interior cloud-chamber in which thoughts arise, collide, coalesce and come to rest. Through these quiet images, Barwe manifested his understanding of consciousness as a desire extending across an infinite field of forms, hoping to grasp its objects but often falling prey to illusions.'

- Ranjit Hoskote

(R. Karode, Manifestations II: Indian Art in the 20th Century - 100 Artists from the DAG Collection, Delhi Art Gallery, New Delhi, 2004, p. 50)

Prabhakar Barwe was born in Nagoan, Maharashtra in 1936. He attended the Sir J.J. School of Art, Mumbai between the years 1954 to 1959. With an urge to explore the aesthetics of image making and under the influence of then contemporary artists like V. S. Gaitonde, Mohan Samant and Ambadas, Barwe furthered his study of visual language, disregarding the clerical act of imitative imagery. His inquiry was coupled with the exposure to theories of Paul Klee, Ben Nicholson, which is evident in his own writings.

By joining the Weavers Design Service Center in early 60s the artist altered his style of working. There he was involved with leading artists Gautam Waghela, K.G. Subramanyan and Ambadas. Throughout his service he constantly dealt with creation of new designs for the weavers, which enhanced his understanding of composition and structure. During 1962-1965, Barwe was posted at Varanasi where his encounter with Tantric forms captured his interest, leading to a Tantricist phase.

Barwe in particular was curious about the innovation and the modern mode of image manifestations. With an affinity for contemporary practices as opposed to academic realism, he worked with zeal of a scientist. His inquiry for an apt medium for image making was coupled by constant and pertinent interrogation linked to his derivative thought process.

Numerous accolades signify his distinct position in the field of visual arts. Amongst them the award by Academy of Fine Arts in Kolkata in 1963, the Bombay Art Society in 1964 and 1968, the Maharashtra State award in 1971 and the prestigious Lalit Kala Akademi awarded in 1976.