Qāf 1978

M.F. Husain made "Qāf" with watercolor, and the fluidity of the medium feels very present here. It's like the painting came together in the moment. The use of color is striking, almost symbolic. The deep reds and oranges create a warm, earthy feel, while the blues introduce a sense of the ethereal. I am drawn to the way the figure seems to emerge from the background. The paint is applied in thin washes, allowing the paper to peek through in places, which gives it a light, airy quality. It's as if the painting is breathing. There is a tension between abstraction and figuration that’s so compelling. It reminds me a bit of some of Philip Guston's later work, where he was blending cartoonish figures with bold, expressive brushwork. Both artists embrace a certain awkwardness, allowing the painting to be what it is, rather than striving for perfection. Art is always a conversation, isn't it? A back-and-forth between artists across time.