Dhoomimal Gallery celebrates five decades of artistic excellence with LIMINAL LINES: Ashok Bhowmick – Celebrating 50 Years of Artistic Inquiry and Human Reflection, a comprehensive retrospective showcasing the master’s journey from his early black-and-white drawings of the 1970s to his recent large-format canvases and sculptural works.
Exhibition Overview
Curated by Professor Rajan Shripad Fulari , Dean of the School of Visual Arts at World University of Design, this landmark exhibition presents over 150 artworks spanning drawings, paintings, prints, sculptures, and documentation. The retrospective marks a significant milestone for Ashok Bhowmick , born in 1953 in Kanpur, who has transformed cross-hatching from a mere technique into an independent and comprehensive artistic medium over his extraordinary career.
The exhibition features rare archival pieces from Bhowmick’s debut exhibition “ASHOK-74” , providing visitors with an unprecedented view of works that have never been exhibited before. This historic showcase will also unveil a limited-edition retrospective book titled “LIMINAL LINES: Ashok Bhowmick Celebrating 50 Years of Artistic Inquiry and Human” alongside the earlier published reflection “The Golden Journey of Ashok Bhowmick.”
The Master of Cross-Hatching
Ashok Bhowmick’s artistic mastery lies in his extraordinary command of cross-hatching , a complex drawing technique where artists shade with intersecting sets of parallel lines, moving carefully from light to dark to create depth and shadow. While artists like Rabindranath Tagore and F.N. Souza have occasionally employed this technique, Bhowmick has arduously transformed cross-hatching into his signature artistic language.
His works predominantly feature figurative subjects, with dense mesh lines creating darker spaces while controlled arrangements of lines achieve lighter effects. The artist’s dedication to this painstaking technique has made his paintings exclusive and recognizable as his inimitable signature.
Artworks featured: Flower 1. 2021 | Untitled, 1990
Artistic Journey and Major Works
Bhowmick’s artistic journey began in 1974 with his debut solo exhibition “Ashok-74” at Kanpur. His significant body of work includes several acclaimed series:
- The Coal Mine Series: Reflecting the harsh realities and poverty faced by coal workers
- The Warli Series: A contemporary interpretation of tribal art from Maharashtra’s North Sahayadri Range
- The Jai Ho Series: Celebrating the uninhibited joy of childhood
- The Bull Series: Symbolizing strength, power, and determination
- Amina & The Bird Series: Featuring birds as symbols of courage and companionship
Bhowmick’s works are housed in prestigious collections including the Ulemar Museum, Germany; The Modern Museum, San Francisco; Lalit Kala Akademi, Delhi; and the National Gallery of Modern Art, New Delhi.
Bull and the city, 2019
The Curatorial Vision
Professor Rajan Shripad Fulari , the exhibition’s curator, describes Bhowmick as “not just an artist; he is a chronicler of our times.” Fulari, who has served as Secretary at the prestigious Lalit Kala Akademi in New Delhi, brings extensive curatorial expertise to this retrospective. His own artistic journey includes international exhibitions across Portugal, Italy, France, Germany, Scotland, London, Canada, and Abu Dhabi.
Artworks featured: King Urchino | Mother (Maxim Gorky) 1979
Dhoomimal Gallery: A Historic Venue
Dhoomimal Gallery , established in 1936 by Shri Ram Babu Jain, holds the distinction of being India’s oldest contemporary art gallery. Located in Connaught Place, New Delhi, the gallery has played a pivotal role in Indian art history, having exhibited works by legendary artists including M.F. Husain, J. Swaminathan, F.N. Souza, and Krishen Khanna.
Under the current stewardship of Uday Jain , the gallery continues to bridge the past and future of Indian art while maintaining its rich legacy. The gallery’s significance in Indian art history makes it a fitting venue for this comprehensive retrospective.
Exhibition Details
Preview: October 4, 2025, 6:00 PM onwards
Public Exhibition: October 5-15, 2025
Exhibition Hours: 11 AM to 7 PM
First Venue: The CCA Gallery, Bikaner House , Pandara Road, New Delhi
Continued Exhibition: October 17 – November 5, 2025
Hours: 11 AM to 7 PM
Second Venue: Dhoomimal Gallery, Connaught Place, New Delhi
This retrospective provides a rare opportunity for students, scholars, collectors, and the wider public to rediscover an artist who chose commitment to truth and craft over market trends. The exhibition includes public engagement sessions, artist walkthroughs, and a special panel discussion series titled “Manthan: Chai pe Charcha on Art,” fostering artistic discourse and community engagement.
Cover image: Untitled, 2021
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