Born
1939, Kolkata
Education
1961-3 L 'Ecole Nationale Superior des Beaux Arts, Paris (On a French Government Scholarship), 1961-3 Research in Fresco and Mosaic under Monsieur Shapple Midie and Monsieur J. Aujame, Paris. 1961-3 Studied Graphic Art under William Hayter and Krishna Reddy. 1961-3 Research in Painting, Atelier Julian and Atelier 17, Paris. 1954-59 Diploma in Painting, Government College of Arts and Crafts, Kolkata
Exhibitions

Solo Exhibitions

• 2008 'Endless Night', Ganges Art, Kolkata
• 2005-06 'Art Moves - Works by Sunil Das', organized by Delhi Art Gallery, New Delhi at Jehangir Art Gallery, Mumbai, Park Hotel, Kolkata and Rabindra Bhavan, Lalit Kala Akademi, New Delhi
• 2005 'Horses…and Bulls - Paintings on Canvas and Paper by Sunil Das', Jamaat, Mumbai
• 2003 'Sunil Das in Retrospect 1957-2003',. ITC Sonar Bangla Art Gallery, Kolkata
• 2001 'Drawings - Bulls and Horses', Dhoomimal Art Centre, New Delhi
• 2000 Art Heritage, New Delhi

Participations

• 1999 Annual Exhibition, 32nd Anniversary of Birla Academy of Art and Culture, Kolkata
• 1989 20th International Biennale, Sao Paulo, Brazil
• 1989 International Biennale, Havana, Cuba
• 1989 Festival of Japan, Tokyo
• 1989 International Triennale, New Delhi

Honours and Awards

• 2008 Taj Ratna Award
• 1991 Shrimoni Award, Kolkata
• 1989 Commissioner Sao Paulo, Biennale, Brazil.
• 1983 Commissioner Triennale, India.
• 1982 Jury of National Exhibition of Art, Lalit Kala Akademi, New Delhi
• 1978 National Award.

Sunil Das, probably India’s most important post-modern expressionist was born in the year 1939. He joined the Government College of Arts and Crafts , Calcutta in 1955, then won a French Government Scholarship to study at the Ecole National des Beaux Arts in Paris. Later he joined Government service for the Ministry of textiles and since then continued art and official work simultaneously holding important positions like Member of Purchase Committee for National Art Exhibition of 1979, and Miniature Format Exhibition 0f 1980, Jury for Hyderabad State Akademi, Committee member of 5th Triennale India in 1982 as also member of the General Council of the Lalit Kala Akademi, New Delhi Sunil Das had also been a prolific organiser and like Ganesh Paine and Bikash Bhattacharya had been a member of the Society of Contemporary Artists , Kolkata, member de la Societe des Muses Nationale d' Art Moderne, Paris, etc. Sunil Das’s style of work is very original and shows no specific influence. He had risen to fame like MF Hussain with his paintings of horses. Like Hussain, Sunil Das was inspired by the force and the strength of the moving horse. Later after his visit to Spain, Das was caught up with the other animal: the bull. The horses and the bull have appeared more than 7000 times in Das’s works. He has otherwise painted haunting pictures of women thereby revealing the dark side of people who are otherwise considered beautiful. A woman in her failings (oil on canvas) and horses in motion (charcoal) : two of Sunil Das's regular styles Medium and Technique of paintings Das is effective in most media, though his major works are serigrapghy, conte, and oil on canvas . His style involves the quick use of the brush and pen to get a dynamic effect potent with power. Das does not show much influence of any other artist. His style is very original. Major Themes Horses and Bulls running, in motion are the major themes in Das’s works. The other recurring theme is the woman with a dark face, haunted and haunting to the viewer. Das has also experimented with his self potratits in colourful strokes .