Francis Newton Souza, born in 1924 in Saligao, Goa, endured a difficult childhood marked by the loss of his father and a severe bout of smallpox. These early struggles shaped his rebellious approach to life. Expelled from the Sir J.J. School of Art for his involvement in the Quit India Movement, Souza went on to co-found the Progressive Artists’ Group in 1947, alongside notable artists like S.H. Raza, M.F. Husain, and K.H. Ara. Known for his bold and provocative art, Souza expressed his defiance through graphic, unrestrained imagery, often accompanied by sharp, incisive prose.
His work, which included still life, landscapes, nudes, and Christian iconography, was characterized by a frenzied distortion of form and a raw intensity. Souza’s style combined elements of Expressionism, Cubism, and classical Indian sculpture, merging them into a unique visual language defined by fierce lines and dark humor. Raised a strict Roman Catholic under Portuguese colonial rule, Souza’s early exposure to religious imagery influenced his later artistic vision. As a member of the Communist Party, he continued to challenge societal conventions, producing work that critiqued the banality of everyday life. Souza was also an experimental innovator, creating “chemical alterations,” a method using solvents on printed pages to layer multiple images. His bold approach solidified his role as a central figure in shaping modern art in India.