Santanu Debnath’s first on-site solo exhibition, “Morphology of Water: A Project by Santanu Debnath,” opened at Emami Art, Kolkata, on August 29, 2025 and is on view through October 18, 2025. The show is held in Gallery 2, Emami Art, and showcases Debnath’s hyper-realistic works focused on the decline of natural waterbodies in his native West Bengal village.
The exhibition documents the transformation and neglect of rural ponds and reservoirs that once organized village life but are now in decline. With a meticulous and hyper-realistic approach, Debnath’s artworks highlight ecological degradation and the reduced role of natural resources in daily life. Rather than romanticize the landscape, the works sharply address urgent environmental issues.
About the Artist
Santanu Debnath is an emerging artist from Betpukur, West Bengal. He holds degrees from Rabindra Bharati University and the Government College of Art and Craft, Kolkata. Debnath has previously exhibited in group and online shows at Emami Art, India Art Fair, and other prominent venues. His accolades include the Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation Grant (2024) and Shilpacharya Zainul Abedin Scholarship (2020–21).
Emami Art, located at the Kolkata Centre for Creativity, is a major space for contemporary art in India. Since its establishment in 2017, the gallery has promoted artists from East and Northeast India and maintains a strong focus on mentorship, innovation, and community engagement. The current exhibition is in line with the gallery’s commitment to socio-ecological and cultural dialogue through art.
Richa Agarwal, CEO of Emami Art, expressed pride in presenting Debnath’s physical solo debut, calling his works “enchanting” portrayals of village life and “a great opportunity for viewers to be introduced to his artistic practice”.
“Morphology of Water: A Project by Santanu Debnath” is open to the public until October 18, 2025, and serves as a timely artistic exploration of ecological change and its impact on rural communities.
Cover image: Beneath the Tree Arch. Courtesy of Emami Art
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