Art Magnum and CIMA (Centre of International Modern Art) present a comprehensive retrospective of renowned Indian artist Jaya Ganguly, spanning over four decades of revolutionary artistic expression. The exhibition, titled “A Retrospective 1982–2025,” has opened on October 7, 2025, at the India Habitat Centre in New Delhi.
Exhibition Highlights
Curated by Rakhi Sarkar, Director of CIMA Kolkata, the exhibition features an extensive collection of Ganguly’s drawings and paintings that chronicle her artistic evolution from surrealist influences to modern abstract expressionism. The showcase encompasses landscapes, figurative compositions, and her signature explorations of human anatomy in both composite and fragmented forms.
Ganguly’s work is characterized by indoor settings with dark backgrounds that evoke mystery, morbidity, and mysticism. Her distinctive visual language emerged from years of financial constraints during her studies at the Indian College of Arts and Draftsmanship, Kolkata, where she often worked in monochrome using only black Chinese ink due to limited resources.
A Voice for the Marginalized
Born into an orthodox Hindu Brahmin family in South Kolkata during the turbulent Naxalite period of the 1950s and 60s, Ganguly’s artistic vision was shaped by witnessing social upheaval, economic hardship, and gender discrimination. Her field studies at locations like Sealdah station and Sonagachi, Kolkata’s red-light district, profoundly influenced her perspective on women’s struggles within both domestic and public spheres.
“I often seek breakages and destruction which provide me with lasting insight and realisation,” Ganguly explains. “My reactions are intuitive, and so is my art. Once I begin on an artwork, I am completely subsumed by it.”
The artist’s journey as a single woman pursuing art in a conservative environment, supported only by her mother, informs the powerful feminist narratives embedded in her work. Her paintings feature twisted torsos, blended bodies, fragmented faces, and multiple eyes, moving from external representations to inner psychological landscapes. Recurring symbols include the Trinayan (third eye) representing supreme knowledge and imagery of Goddess Kali, transforming female figures from victims to wielders of power.
From Local Recognition to International Acclaim
Ganguly’s career gained momentum after her first solo exhibition at the Academy of Fine Arts in Calcutta in 1984, which attracted attention from collectors and intellectuals. Gallery owner Alkazi organized a solo show in Delhi the same year, leading to international exposure when the Dutch ambassador selected her works for exhibition in Amsterdam. She participated in the India Festival in Stockholm in 1987, establishing her international reputation.
Her artistic evolution spans from early watercolor landscapes and figurative studies to later works in acrylic on linen canvas. Her compositions employ bold colors including black, crimson, viridian, scarlet, cobalt, and Prussian blue, depicting the dualities of human existence. Symbols of butterflies, birds, blooming lotuses, and creepers contrast with hanging ropes, representing the intertwined forces of life and death, hope and despair.
The COVID-19 pandemic proved to be a transformative period for Ganguly. Her 2020 painting “Untitled” emerged from profound insights gained during two years of sustained isolation, reflecting on human vulnerability and frailty.
Celebrating Defiance and Resilience
Saurabh Singhvi of Art Magnum states, “We are honored to present Jaya Ganguly’s solo exhibition. Her work resonates with the core values of Art Magnum—to showcase authentic South Asian art that challenges, inspires, and engages audiences.”
Curator Rakhi Sarkar adds, “Jaya Ganguly’s work is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. Her art challenges societal norms and gives voice to those often unheard. This exhibition is an invitation to witness her journey and the stories she tells through her powerful visuals.”
Exhibition Details
Venue: Visual Arts Gallery & Open Palm Court, India Habitat Centre, Lodhi Road, New Delhi
Dates: October 7–17, 2025
Timings: 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM (Daily)
Entry: Free and open to all
About the Organizers
Art Magnum, led by Saurabh Singhvi since 1986, has been instrumental in promoting South Asian art globally, showcasing diverse artistic expressions from traditional to contemporary works while nurturing both emerging and established artists.
CIMA (Centre of International Modern Art), founded by Rakhi Sarkar in 1993 in Kolkata, is a leading institution dedicated to promoting modern and contemporary Indian art through curated exhibitions, educational programs, and international collaborations.
Image Courtesy: Art Magnum
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