The work of Contemporary multi-media artist Baiju Parthan (India, B. 1956) tends to be grounded in influences of a conflation of traditional Indian theme and Western artistic methods, his highly innovative works are in a category all their own, and as such make him one of the most internationally acclaimed Contemporary Indian artists working today. "Engineered Fruit Cosmogram" (2007) is an exciting three-dimensional computer drawing and composting digital print on backlit polyester film paper, whose surreal and op-art inspired composition. This work belongs to Baiju's rare 'Cosmogram' series of digital prints created in 2007, in which Parthan combines representational imagery with computer code and mathematical equations as is typical of his oeuvre. This surreal narrative combines athletes, dancing cupids, and fish with a white topographical backdrop based on geometrical lines and equations that intentionally appear to float in three-dimensions behind the scene creating the illussions of depth enhanced by a slick futuristic palette of bright reds, electric blues, neon yellows and jade greens. "Engineered Fruit Cosmogram" measures 35.43 x 35.43 inches (90 x 90 cm) is unframed and is in excellent condition.
"Engineered Fruit Cosmogram" is important as it is only the second such print from the Cosmogram series to ever come to international auctions and as such gives great insight into Parthan's conflation of his formal mathematical background, interest in science and math with the illicit desires, activities and cultural mores of today's society. Hugely inspired by Sartre’s “Age of Reason” as well as such artists as Joan Miro, Larry Rivers, and various Cubists, Parthan would go on to combine Indian mythology and ritual arts with Western styles to create his incredibly distinctive works. Combining captivating imagery with coded text and symbolism, his work finds a balance between figurative reality and imagined dreamscapes. Parthan has held numerous shows and is in elite Private and Public collections. He has exhibited at the National Gallery of Modern Art (Mumbai, India), The Gallery (Hong Kong), Aicon Gallery (New York and London), and Gallery Hosp (Tirol, Austria), among others.
