FRANCIS NEWTON SOUZA
Francis Newton Souza, born in 1924 in Saligao, Goa, was destined for a life of unapologetic self-expression. Having lost his father at a tender age and survived a debilitating bout of smallpox, Souza vowed to forge his own path. His rebellious streak led to expulsion from the Sir J J School of Art in Mumbai for participating in the Quit India Movement.
Souza's bold, graphic style yielded thought-provoking and powerful images, tackling subjects like still life, landscape, nudes, and Christian icons with unbridled fervor. His paintings exuded defiance, impatience, and discontent with the mundane. Influenced by diverse art forms – Goa's folk art, Renaissance masterpieces, Catholic iconography, European landscapes, and modernist innovations – Souza's works were a testament to his eclectic vision. Characteristic crosshatched strokes added depth and structure to his compositions. F. N. Souza's remarkable journey came to a close in March 2002, leaving behind a legacy of unflinching artistic expression.