Symboles 4, 2007

Syed Haider "S. H." Raza is an Indian progressive painter. Raza began to pursue his love of art at the Najpur Art School in his native India, before training at the prestigious, Sir J. J. School of Art in Bombay. After relocating to France, he studied at the Ecole Nationale Superieure des Beaux-Arts in Paris. S.H. Raza uses color and icons to create works honoring Indian cosmology and philosophy. He's been bestowed several significant accolades, including a Fellowship to the Lalit Kala Academi, the Padma Shri, India's fourth highest civilian honor, the Padma Bhushan, his nation's third highest civilian recognition and the Padma Vibhushan, Indian's second highest civilian honor. In addition, France rewarded S.H. Raza with its highest civilian accolade, the Legion of Honor Award. S.H. Raza’s first solo exhibition happened in 1946 inside the Bombay Art Society's salon. At this event, Raza's art was awarded a silver medal. In the time since, his work has been featured in galleries throughout Europe and Asia. His signature piece "Saurashtra" sold for roughly three-and-half-million dollars at the Manhattan Auction House, Christie's, making Raza one of the richest Indian artists of all time. S.H. Raza founded the Bombay Progressive Artists Group with K. H. Ara and F. N. Souza. In 2013, Indian television called Raza one of the greatest living, global Indian legends. Since 1950, the ninety-three-year-old S. H. Raza has resided in France.