Hari Ambadas Gade: The Pioneer of Indian Abstraction

H.A. Gade (1917–2001) was a pioneering Indian abstract expressionist painter and founding member of the Progressive Artists’ Group. Born in Amravati, Maharashtra, he initially studied science before pursuing art at Nagpur School of Art, where he earned his Master’s degree in 1950. Gade’s work evolved from detailed landscapes to expressive abstractions, often depicting rural and urban scenes with geometric forms and vibrant colors. His art reflects a fusion of scientific precision and emotional depth. Gade exhibited widely in India and abroad, earning accolades including the Bombay Art Society’s Gold Medal (1956) and awards at the Saigon Biennale (1962).