Promise of beauty: Ten women artists you should know
Editor’s note: Art often feels inaccessible to many of us. The little we know is limited to a handful of iconic names. We know we’re missing out—but on what? Answer: Innovative artists who are reinventing the traditions of Indian art. Rasika Kajaria opens the door with this lovely introduction to the work of ten up-and-coming female artists. Get ready for serious eye candy.
Written by: Rasika Kajaria is a New Delhi-based patron and entrepreneur of the arts. Her gallery Exhibit 320 showcases contemporary art from India and the sub-continent–with an emphasis on creating a platform for new thoughts and ideas. Rasika’s mission is to discover and nurture contemporary and evolving talent. You can learn more about her gallery on its website.
Over to Rasika…
Over the last 15 years–since I founded Exhibit 320—I have found immense joy not just in scouting and showcasing talent, but also appreciating the indigenous talent shown by other galleries. I have put together a list of truly promising Indian artists, each bringing their unique perspectives and narratives to the canvas.
From vibrant colours that echo tradition to thought-provoking conceptual pieces that challenge societal norms and pieces that reflect the history of our people, these artists encapsulate the dynamism and depth of contemporary Indian art. Here, I introduce you to ten remarkable up-and-coming women artists–and the captivating worlds they have created.
Sumakshi Singh
Sumakshi Singh's work embodies an ethereal exchange between the tangible and the ephemeral, as seen in her exhibition 'Soulmates', which she recently showcased at Art Dubai.
With accolades ranging from the Asia Arts Future Game Changer Award to designing the renowned windows for Hermès, India, and curating for esteemed institutions like the Devi Art Foundation. Singh's intricate thread drawings and installations challenge perceptions of temporality and form.
Manisha Gera Baswani
Multi-talented painter, photographer, and occasional writer, Manisha Gera Baswani is best known for her legacy photographic project ‘Artist through the Lens’, spanning almost two decades, the project intimately documents prominent Indian and Pakistani artists in the creative sanctuary space of their studios.
Baswani's recent exploration into textile art seamlessly extends her artistic vision onto the soft canvas of mulmul fabric. Embracing the Chikankari style of embroidery, she masterfully reinterprets her visual vocabulary, infusing new life into her creations with a blend of tradition and innovation.
Jayati Kaushik
Working with drypoint, a challenging medium not commonly utilised by artists, Jayati Kaushik intricately weaves familial connections into her art. Her delicate compositions serve as poignant tributes to the enduring beauty of human relationships. Recognized with awards such as the Purushottam Annual Merit Award, Kaushik's work transcends materiality, inviting viewers into visual narratives rich with emotional depth.
Deena Pindoria
Hailing from the historic village of Madhapar in Kutch, Deena blends tradition with contemporary expression, she invites viewers to connect with her cultural roots while exploring courage, resilience, and heritage themes. Her work bridges the past and the present, reminding us of the enduring power of art to inspire and unite across generations and cultures.
Deena’s practice is informed by years of research, documentation, and experimentation in Ajrakh Block printing and Natural dyes, earth pigments on the surface like modal silk, handmade papers, and taking impressions on rice papers.
Arshi Irshad Ahmadzai
Arshi Irshad Ahmadzai's artistic language is a mesmerising blend of diverse influences, from Pahadi paintings to Afghan architecture. With a distinct visual style that juxtaposes text and drawings, Ahmadzai's work serves as a poignant commentary on womanhood and historical erasure. Her unique approach to storytelling through art is as thought-provoking as it is captivating.
Sukanya Ghosh
Digital artist and filmmaker from Kolkata, Sukanya Ghosh's innovative work has earned her recognition worldwide. With a background in Animation Film Design from the National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad, Ghosh's creations have been featured in prestigious exhibitions curated by luminaries such as Rahaab Allana and Alejandro Castellote. Her filmography showcases her mastery of visual storytelling, with works like ‘A Man, Some Trees, and a Dog’ captivating audiences with their innovative approach to animation and collage.
Yasmin Jahan Nupur
Yasmin Jahan Nupur was born in Chittagong, Bangladesh, and currently practices and lives in Dhaka. A visual and performance artist, her work is influenced by the ecological and community-driven aspects of life. Depicting human relationships from various points of view, her work explores class distinctions and the social discrepancies people face, particularly women and migrants of South Asia, and colonial history to increase understanding between people of different backgrounds.
Her recent works have engaged deeply with architecture, landscape sifting/displacement, and textiles, especially focusing on the Jamdani weave to making soft sculptures as a commentary on physical and social constructs affecting the human psyche.
As recognition of her artistic endeavours, Yasmin has been awarded the International Arts Residency by the Commonwealth Foundation of the United Kingdom. Her work is in several museum collections including Tate Modern, Whitworth Art Gallery, Samdani Art Foundation, Durjoy Bangladesh Foundation, and in significant private collections.
Akshata Mokashi
Akshata Mokashi weaves painted imaginations into tapestries. As a weaver, her practice is immersed in the timeless space between tradition and innovation. She refers to her craft as being rooted in ancient techniques while she continues to explore new avenues of expression, pushing the boundaries of what can be achieved with fibre. Initially drawn to vibrant yarns, Mokashi began to experiment with dyeing to achieve colours that aligned with the hues of her painted landscapes. The artist refers to this journey as a process that evolved and led to an experiential journey of self-discovery through the act of creation.
Wahida Ahmed
Wahida Ahmed, an artist based in Guwahati, explores techniques and media rooted in hybrid cultures and folk traditions of Assam. Her practice begins with found objects and delves into a range of socio-political issues prevalent in the state. Through metaphors, anecdotes, and analogies—both obscure and common—Ahmed's layered mixed-media works articulate the experiences, perspectives, and dilemmas unique to an Assamese Muslim subjectivity amidst an existential storm. She invokes a shared syncretic past and highlights migrant patterns, aiming to challenge the illusion of a standardised cultural identity.
Gunjan Kumar
The abstraction in Kumar’s works takes on a language of form through the mediums of bentonite clay and muslin. The complexity of knots referencing the old dying technique called 'Bandhani' reveals the intricate details behind these minimal visuals, lending a compulsive playfulness to each conversation between the two most used mediums in her studio. As the conversation continues, these mediums inform and reform each other, until a point is reached where their individual identities become redundant. They merge into an integral part of each other, and all that remains is the dialogue.
Gunjan Kumar is an artist, independent scholar, and educator originally from Punjab, India. She has spent many years travelling through India and other countries in South Asia, observing age-old practices in textiles and indigenous arts and crafts, visiting archaeological sites, and studying prehistoric paintings and other tribal arts. These experiences form the undertones of her art practice.
I believe these talented women help one completely get immersed in the vibrant narratives they weave, each stroke and composition a testament to their boundless creativity and vision, married with deep insight. These compelling talents stand poised to make waves in the art world across borders, with their works offering a captivating fusion of tradition and innovation, pushing boundaries with fresh perspectives and bold experimentation.
