Untitled 1989

Jagdish Swaminathan created this unnamed painting with gouache, likely in the latter half of the 20th century. The dominant, vivid red form echoes the hills of classical landscapes. In ancient art, hills and mountains often symbolize stability, refuge, or even the presence of the divine. Consider how similar mountainous forms appear in Chinese landscape painting, where they represent the harmony between humanity and nature. Yet, here, the floating quality of the red form evokes a more ambiguous feeling. This may remind us of dreamscapes, where familiar symbols take on new, unsettling meanings. Such imagery taps into our collective memory, stirring subconscious associations and emotional responses tied to these ancient archetypes, such as feelings of desire and freedom. The continuous reshaping of symbols reveals a non-linear progression, evolving and resurfacing across diverse historical tapestries, and in turn giving them new interpretations.