Signed and dated 'Manu Parekh 9' (lower left)
Further signed, titled, and inscribed 'Manu Parekh / Banaras at Sunrise / 26" x 41" / Acrylic on canvas' (on the reverse)

PROVENANCE
Acquired directly from the artist
Private collection, Dubai

PUBLISHED
Banaras | Varanasi - Mapping the City of Light: Manu Parekh The Fine Art Advisory, Dubai, 2015, unpaginated (illustrated)

LOT ESSAY
Being a part of the Calcutta art scene influenced Manu Parekh, in content and spirit. His work changed along with his artistic language - it became strong and darker using palettes that are full of browns and black. He started exploring other mediums for his art as well, like using paper with ink, pasting paper and painting over it. During this time, growth was the central theme of his work.

However, moving to Delhi 10 years later he experienced a nervous breakdown as an artist and felt that something was missing in his work. He felt that his new environment is not giving him the stimulation that he craves as an artist and was at lost on what to paint. After much pondering and conversation with fellow artist for guidance, he came to an understanding, "I felt that my works had an abstract element and were erotic and organic. I realised that I needed to bring it all together and tie it, root it somewhere. By rooting my works in Banaras, it gave me language."