Framed: 39 1/4 x 33 1/4 inches
artist
Shipra Bhattacharya was educated at Calcutta University (B.Sc.), followed by formal art studies at the Government College of Art and Craft and the College of Visual Arts in Kolkata under the guidance of artist Subhaprasanna, whom she later married. Her first solo exhibition was held in Kolkata in 1981, and she has since been featured in numerous shows in India and abroad. Her critically acclaimed ‘Desire’ series and related works, including "She," continue to address women’s issues, aspirations, and identities—often portrayed as being at ease, content, and independent from the male gaze.
Description
Bhattacharya’s works are renowned for exploring themes of femininity, desire, and the inner consciousness of women. She embodies her ongoing exploration of women’s fulfillment, inner longing, and sensuality, presenting the female figure not just as subject but as a vehicle expressing layered emotion and narrative. The females depicted in her works typically suggest an air of mystery or introspection, inviting viewers to search for meaning beyond the obvious.
Her in She, our protagonist is depicted looking away at the scenery surrounding her, visually representing dreams of escape from mundane realities and social limitations. This motif directly echoes the series’ exploration of women’s inability to fully express their desires in conservative social contexts. In later works like our She, Bhattacharya tattoos the female body with icons and motifs—visual metaphors for fulfillment and desire, further deepening the layers of meaning in each painting.