‘…time Husain’s works were shared again.’

Mumbai-based Institute of Contemporary Indian Art (ICIA) is showcasing 20 works by late MF Husain as part of a four-week solo show, starting December 19.

Thanks to the event, the legendary artist is back in his beloved city, at least in spirit. Forced into exile after he painted provocative Hindu goddesses’ images, which offended the by right-wing radicals, the artist died in London, aged 95 last year, almost five years after he fled Mumbai - his home for almost 72 years.

“Maqbool Fida Husain was India's most iconic and prolific artist - and painted right up until two weeks before his death in London at the age of 95.”A New Delhi based writer on art & culture, Sudha G Tilak, wrote in The BBC News obit essay. “Husain was a protean maverick who embraced the free market, took to making cinema, angered Hindu radicals at home with his provocative work, gamely took leaving India in his stride, and accepted Qatari nationality.”

A timely news article in The Hindustan Times by Riddhi Doshi elaborates on the show: “The city of his dreams is showcasing once again the works of its most popular artist, six months after his death. A number of Husain treasures are on display, including a wooden horse that Husain created in the 1950s, when his first daughter was born; a rare silk screen painting from the 1970s; a painting of a village scene that belonged to Jawaharlal Nehru in 1960 and several others works on canvas and paper, each priced between Rs 5 lakh and Rs 2.5 crore.”

The show takes place amid heavy security, but owner of the gallery, Tushar Sethi, believes all the trouble will be well worth it eventually. He has been quoted as saying: “Husain was a legend. One of the most prolific Indian artists, he created 30,000 to 50,000 paintings in his lifetime, yet his works are in great demand. He is the reason the average Indian has any idea what modern art is. It is time his works were shared once again,” Sethi quipped, underlining the significance of the show.