London, Sep 21 (PTI) Celebrated Indian artist Bhupen Khakhar’s self-portrait as a dentist is among the highlights of Sotheby’s latest showcase of rare South Asian arts for its upcoming auction in London next week. Khakhar’s ‘Dentist’, described by the auction house as “characteristically humorous”, is currently on display before its auction debut on Thursday as part of the ‘Modern & Contemporary South Asian Art’ sale, with an estimated price range of GBP 1-4 million. A work entitled ‘Terra Amata’ by another famous Indian painter Sayed Haider Raza, which last appeared at auction over 20 years ago, will also go under the hammer with an estimated guide price of GBP 2-4 million.
“This season we are delighted to bring to the market fresh and exciting works by South Asia’s leading modern masters,” said Ishrat Kanga, Head of Sotheby's London Modern & Contemporary South Asian Art. “The sale features a wide representation of countries, mediums and subjects that showcases the creativity and diversity of the region's artists, including works by Sayed Haider Raza, Bhupen Khakhar, Francis Newton Souza, Zainul Abedin, George Keyt and Ganesh Pyne,” she said. ‘Dentist’ joins rank with Khakhar’s other celebrated trades and is one of a number of later works which echo the seminal subject of the 1970s series, such as ‘Sweet Vendor’ (1980) and ‘Tailor Shop’ (1988).
In the striking artwork, Khakhar is the "eponymous dentist shown pulling the teeth of .