Celebrating Lancelot Ribeiro Doodle – Google Doodles

About the Doodle:

Ribeiro first came to England in 1950 to study accountancy where his creative interests began to emerge. He studied life drawing at Saint Martin’s School of Art, explored jewelry design, and wrote poetry. Enlisted in the Royal Air Force, he secured compassionate leave and returned to India in 1955 where he began working in life insurance. His move into painting was accidental.

His first solo exhibition at the Bombay Artist Aid Centre in 1961 sold out a month before it had opened, securing him commissions and recognition. By the time he settled in Britain in 1962, he had had ten exhibitions, one of which toured North America and Europe.

His early work depicted townscapes, figures, and still lifes, much of which reflected his Goan heritage. These were primarily painted with oils but before long, he sought new forms of polyvinyl acetate (or PVA) which he dyed to formulate his paints (a precursor to acrylic paints)—faster drying times and a vibrant color potential radically transformed his work.

Ribeiro co-founded the 25-year Indian Artists’ Collectives movement in 1963. He was also lecturing on his artistic practice and Indian art and culture for the Commonwealth Institute.

Over his career, Ribeiro held nearly 70 solo and group exhibitions across India, the UK, Paris, Germany, and the US.

His contributions to the art scene as a technical innovator undoubtedly paved the way for future generations of artists to follow.

Happy birthday, Lancelot Ribeiro