ALPHONSO DOSS

Alphonso Doss [1939], from his student days was interested in variety of technical experiments. This was a vital factor which allowed him to break ground with his signature technique that translates as his style today. The technique was mediated through the abstract element of light, in which his interest was centered inspired by the works of Rembrandt. Alphonso brought alive his protagonists through his evolved and researched technique that involved monochromatic or two or more manipulation of colours, with the background painted dazzling white on which the broad and expressive brush strokes constructed the forms. This technique also facilitated the advance his concepts namely faith, peace, terrorism, communal strife, political malpractices and corruption. Engaging with icons of historical significance as Gandhi or Christ or a metaphysical concept of the dancing Nataraja in its dual role as a creator and destroyer, and other ubiquitous ones as birds or lamp, visually marking his works as quasi realistic or mimetic but his abstraction is metaphorical communicating his engagement with these forms to have layered meaning. Said Alphonso, “my works are neither real nor abstract”, paradoxical indeed, but underpinning it is the essence of his concepts.