Radha series 11

“The dark side of humanity and cruelty is what leads me in my search of the unknown.” Suhas Roy’s preoccupation is primarily with the female face and form, and his subjects are romanticised, inhabiting the dreamlike world between sensuality and innocence. His work is usually inspired by life around him, but his themes are as much influenced by the everyday world as they are rooted in fantasy. The vast and complex texture of life is seen as mystical and dark in his work. The mystical flavour of his works arose from his interpretations of the ‘unknown’. It is his craftsmanship and consummate skill that ensure that his richly romantic subjects do not touch extreme syrupy and stereotypical portrayals. Instead, their very patent beauty veers towards melancholic grace and elegance. This graceful portrayal of his subjects has much to do with his choice of materials – his crayons, charcoal and brush have sensitivity and refinement. Suhas Roy studied at the Indian College of Arts and Draftsmanship, Calcutta, and under the tutelage of Prof. S.W. Hayter at the Atelier 17 Ecole Superior Des Beaux Arts, Paris. His works have been exhibited all over the world through exhibitions like the Asian Graphic Prints Traveling Exhibition, USA, the Tokyo Print Biennale, Japan, Contemporary Indian Art, Yugoslavia, Romania, Czechoslovakia, Hungry, and Wounds, at the Central Institute Modern Art, New Delhi, and the National Gallery of Modern Art, New Delhi. Roy lives and works in Santiniketan where he is the head of the Department of Painting at Kala Bhavan, Santiniketan.

• 1953-58 Diploma in Painting, Indian College of Art and Draughtsmanship, Calcutta
• 1956-66 Studied Graphic Art under the guidance of S.W. Hayter
• 1964 Atelier 17 and Mural Art at Cole Superior Des Beaux Art, Paris

• 1986 Art and Prints Show, Calcutta
• 1986 Dhoomimal Art Show, New Delhi
• 1988 Chitrakoot Art Exhibition, Calcutta
• 1988 Genesis Art Gallery, Kolkata
• 1989 Karnataka Chitrakala Parishad, Bangalore
• 1991 Safdar Hashmi Memorial, New Delhi
• 2007 Academy of Fine Arts, Calcutta. Heads and Faces, organized by Maya, Hongkong
• 2007 Modern to Contemporary inaugural Gallery Kolkata
• 2007 Signature images by Gallery Kolkata

• 2001 Art of Bengal, organized by CIMA Art Gallery, Kolkata and Mumbai
• 2001 Harmony, organized by Reliance Industries Ltd., Mumbai
• 2000 Drawing exhibition of four artists, organized by Jehangir Art Gallery, Mumbai
• 1999 Miniature Format, organized by Art Today, New Delhi
• 1996 'Modern and Contemporary Indian Paintings', Sotheby's Auction, London
• 1996 Group exhibition organized by Galerie 88, Singapore, Hongkong, Canada, New York
• 1995 Heads and Faces, organized by Gallery Maya, Hongkong
• 1995 Galerie La Mere, Calcutta
• 1995 Drawing exhibition organized by Gallery Espace, New Delhi
• 1993 Trends and Images, CIMA Art Gallery, Calcutta
• 1993 'Wounds', CIMA & NGMA
• 1992 Silver Jubilee Exhibition, Birla Academy of Art and Culture, Calcutta
• 1991 Collectors Choice Exhibition, Visual Art Gallery, New Delhi
• 1989 Safdar Hashmi Memorial Exhibition, New Delhi
• 1988 Karnataka Chitrakala Parishad, Bangalore
• 1986 Dhoomimal, Delhi
• 1975 III International Triennale, Rabindra Bharti, Lalit Kala Academy
• 1969 Asian Graphic Prints Travelling Exhibition, USA

• 1957, 58 Award, Annual Exhibition, Indian College of Art and Draughtsmanship, Calcutta
• 1968 Awarded, First all India Graphic Exhibition, Group 8, Calcutta
• 1969, 70 Award, AIFACS, New Delhi
• 1970 Award, West Bengal Academy of Dance, Drama, Music and Fine Arts, Calcutta
• 1973 Awarded Certificate of Merit, Birla Academy of Art and Culture, Calcutta
• 1986 Awarded Certificate of Merit, Symphony, Hoshiarpur