The paintings of Vasudeo S. Gaitonde are on exhibit at the Guggenheim in New York until February 11, 2015.

V.S. GaitondeV.S. Gaitonde an Indian abstract artist whose work is infused with a kind of gentleness and calmness. I had always thought of abstract art as being not so gentle but rather screaming and rebellious. Trying and succeeding in getting my attention, demanding that I don’t forget. Much of V.S. Gaitonde’s work feels more like a good friend, someone I am always happy to see. Endlessly provocative.

Much is made of V.S.Gaitonde awakening to Buddhism and how that changed both his thinking and work. Transformation I believe is an integral part of any artist’s life and finding ways to evolve goes hand and hand with creativity. Attempting to place artist into neat little boxes like “Zen Abstract” does a disservice to the artist and the time and work put into his or her’s craft.

 

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