Untitled

Artist: Amit Rajvanshi
Medium: Acrylic on Canvas
Size: 24 × 11 inches (60.96 × 27.94 cm)
Year: 2017

In this striking acrylic on canvas, artist Amit Rajvanshi constructs a dynamic and visually arresting composition that merges symbolism with abstraction. Dominated by a stylized figure reminiscent of a chess king, the painting unfolds as a sophisticated exploration of power, identity, and strategy, all conveyed through the visual language of Cubism and abstract expressionism. The central figure, abstracted into simplified forms, is rendered in vivid hues of red, orange, and yellow. These fiery tones imbue the “king” with energy and presence, while the angular body and crown-like headpiece establish the character’s symbolic authority. At once human and iconic, the form commands the visual field, acting as a metaphor for centrality and decision-making within both the chessboard and life itself.

A simplified chessboard pattern grounds the figure, its alternating tiles intersected by geometric shapes, squares, triangles, and fractured forms, that introduce spatial complexity and layered narrative. Scattered white chess pieces occupy the board, suggesting an unfinished game or ongoing conflict. Their placement around the central figure amplifies themes of hierarchy, positioning, and strategic negotiation, imbuing the composition with tension and movement. Set against a muted blue backdrop, the painting achieves a balance between contrast and cohesion. Overlaid geometric shapes float within the background, dissolving strict boundaries and enhancing the sense of a multidimensional space. The interaction between the intense foreground palette and the cool, subdued background allows the composition to breathe while emphasizing the central figure's prominence. 

Rajvanshi’s brushwork and compositional techniques reflect the influence of Cubism’s fractured planes and abstract expressionism’s emotive color fields. The layering of color and form generates rhythm and motion, making the work feel both calculated and spontaneous. The use of flat areas and textured surfaces adds further complexity, inviting viewers to engage not only with the symbolic content but also with the materiality of the medium. This painting exemplifies Amit Rajvanshi’s ability to synthesize formal abstraction with conceptual depth. By referencing the iconography of chess, a game long associated with intellect, power, and foresight, he transforms the canvas into a field of psychological and philosophical reflection. This piece is a compelling addition to collections focused on abstract figuration, symbolic geometry, and the narrative potential of form and color in contemporary Indian art.