Progressive Artists Group

Indian art group

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July 20, 2026

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The Progressive Artists' Group was an influential Indian art collective founded in 1947 in Mumbai. Its aim was to break away from traditional and clichéd representations in Indian art. Key founding members included K.H. Ara, S.K. Bakre, H.A. Gade, M.F. Husain, S.H. Raza, and F.N. Souza. V.S. Gaitonde, a prominent abstract artist, also became associated with the group shortly after graduating in 1948. The group's formation marked a significant shift towards modernism in Indian art, encouraging artists to explore new styles and themes.1

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F.N. Souza
Husain, cofounded the Progressive Artists Group. In 1949 he left India to live in London, where, while struggling to make an impact as an artist, he eked out a living as a journalist. He also wrote an autobiography, Words & Lines (1959). In 1967 Souza received the Guggenheim…
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Husain, cofounded the Progressive Artists Group. In 1949 he left India to live in London, where, while struggling to make an impact as an artist, he eked out a living as a journalist. He also wrote an autobiography, Words & Lines (1959). In 1967 Souza received the Guggenheim…
Read More