Born in Santhal Pargana, Bihar, in 1916, Sankho Chaudhuri, was a distinguished sculptor whose career spanned the majority of the twentieth century The artist played a pivotal role in transitioning Indian sculpture into the realms of Modernism and Abstract art, providing a counterpoint to the prevailing European Naturalism 

Chaudhuri earned his bachelor's degree in art from Santiniketan in 1939, followed by a diploma in sculpture from the same institution in 1945

During his time at Shantiniketan, Chaudhuri engaged with influential artists such as Nandalal Bose, Benode Behari Mukherjee, KG Subramanyan, and potter Ira Chaudhuri, whom he later married Under the guidance of the leading Modernist sculptor Ramkinkar Baij, Chaudhuri delved into abstraction, departing from the prevailing Naturalistic style Collaborating with Baij on significant projects, including the War Memorial in Nepal in 1945, he acquired expertise in the lost wax method of metal casting A pivotal moment occurred during his 1949 European study tour when he visited Paris, where he encountered the works of Romanian sculptor Constantin Brancusi Inspired by Brancusi's emphasis on pure, unadorned forms, Chaudhuri incorporated similar qualities into his own artistic expression Upon returning from Paris, he was invited to establish and teach at the sculpture department at FFA Baroda, where he served as the department head until 1970, briefly holding the position of dean 

In subsequent years, Chaudhuri held affiliations with various institutions, teaching briefly at Shantiniketan, Banaras Hindu University, and the University of Dar-es-Salaam in Tanzania He also played a significant role as the secretary and later chairman (1984) of the Lalit Kala Akademi, initiating art camps, with the first held in 1962 Chaudhuri was instrumental in establishing the Garhi Artists’ Studios in Delhi and the Museum of Man in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh

Chaudhuri's artistic creations reflect a fascination with natural elements, the human form, and a nuanced preservation of the original shape of the material from which the sculpture emerged

Known for working with diverse sizes and materials, including bronze, steel, other metals, wood, and marble, Chaudhuri's artistic legacy resonates with a rich exploration of form and expression

He passed away in 2006