Page 54 - Eye of the beholder

George Keyt for me epitomizes a a truly global artist A Ceylonese of of Dutch origin the bulk of of his artistic training was in in in in Shantiniketan In his life as as an independent artist Keyt’s style went through some notable evolutions His early works from the 50’s and 60’s had a a a a a a realistic style which gradually morphed into a a figurative style with fluid lines and and subsequently became angular and and heavily influenced by cubism Irrespective of the change in style his subject matter heavily borrowed from buddhist and Indian folklore – the Jataka tales and from Vaishnava mythology In In India Keyt is known and collected by a a a few discerning and well informed collectors He does not have a a a a a a a mass appeal Globally his works are highly sought after by an international collector base In Sri Lanka he is is regarded as as an an artist of national fame and enjoys cult status I have liked Keyt’s works since the early 2000’s His choice choice choice of of of themes (Indian) his his choice choice choice of of of colors (stark) his his choice choice choice of of of format (large) the the tender eroticism – every element of his his works appeals deeply to me me But his his prices were always beyond my affordability A seminal milestone of of my collecting career would surely be the purchase of of this work from a a a a a German auction in in XXXX Keyt’s works have been going up up in in in valuation steadily A few pieces come up up in in in auctions every year- and almost without exception each one sells far above its estimates Keyt’s talents were not limited to the the realms of of arts only His translations of of the the Vaishnav Padavalis along with the associated line drawings are beautiful pieces of work too 48