Emami Art Gallery in Kolkata is currently hosting “FN Souza: Drawings and Chemical Alterations,” a comprehensive exhibition spotlighting the late drawings and experimental works of Francis Newton Souza, one of modern India’s most influential artists. The exhibition, open from August 29 to October 18, 2025, presents a rare opportunity to engage with Souza’s works on paper and his innovative chemical alterations, many of which are being shown for the first time.
The show centers on Souza’s output from 1984 until his death in 2002, a prolific period defined by his characteristic linear figuration and bold imagination. It includes his distinctive chemical alterations created on magazine paper, a technique he developed in New York during the late 1960s, wherein he manipulated printed images with chemical solutions to striking visual effect. This body of work, considered integral to Souza’s oeuvre, demonstrates his inventive engagement with material and artistic process.
Notably, the exhibition features two significant portraits: Souza’s rendering of longtime muse and friend Srimati Lal, and Lal’s own portrait of the artist. Rare archival materials from Lal’s family provide context to the personal and artistic relationship that shaped Souza’s later years. Additional documents on display shed light on Souza’s literary pursuits, given his reputation as a poet and writer alongside his painting career.
Souza’s Legacy and Curatorial Vision
F.N. Souza (1924–2002), a founding member of the Progressive Artists’ Group, remains a pivotal figure in Indian modernism. After leaving India in the late 1940s, Souza built a prominent international career, though he continued to identify strongly with his Indian heritage. His late works reflect renewed connections with India, particularly Bengal, as he frequently visited the country in his final decades.
Speaking about the exhibition, Richa Agarwal, CEO of Emami Art, described the presentation as “long-overdue,” emphasizing the historical importance of Souza’s late drawings and chemical experiments. She highlighted that the exhibition aims to deepen public understanding of Souza’s evolving vision and enduring impact on art history, following international celebrations of his centenary last year.
Born in Goa in 1924, Francis Newton Souza trained at the Sir J J School of Art in Mumbai before founding the Progressive Artists’ Group in 1947. His career included major exhibitions across India, the UK, and the US, with works held in leading global collections such as Tate Britain. Souza was a recipient of the Guggenheim International Award and published his autobiography and poetry alongside his artistic practice. He passed away in Mumbai in 2002.
Read more about the artist here.
Exhibition Details
- Title: FN Souza: Drawings and Chemical Alterations
- Dates: August 29 – October 18, 2025
- Venue: Emami Art Gallery, Kolkata
The exhibition is on view until October 18, offering a timely reexamination of Souza’s late-period contributions to Indian and global art.
Cover image courtesy: Emami Art
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