Mithu Sen

Born in 1971 in West Bengal, Mithu Sen obtained her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in painting from Kala Bhavan at Santiniketan, and later, completed a postgraduate program at the Glasgow School of Art in the United Kingdom on the prestigious Charles Wallace India Trust Award for 2000-2001. An enthusiastic traveler, Sen has explored several countries and many of her works have evolved from her travels and experiences.

In her works, Mithu Sen contrasts scale, subject and even genre to give life to her remarkable imagination. Installations and paintings are an important part of Sen’s oeuvre. She works spontaneously in both genres – one mark or symbol leading to another, with no preconceived narrative or definitive meaning ; put down in the style of free association, they consist of a peculiar collection of motifs that playfully subvert commonly held beliefs about femininity and sexuality. Juxtaposing intricate and large forms, conflating animals, humans and inanimate objects, and combining drawing, painting and collage, Sen’s works provoke both humour and serious consideration on the part of the viewer.

Having participated in numerous shows worldwide, Sen’s most recent solo endeavours include 'I Dig, I Look Down' at Albion Gallery, London, in 2008; ‘Half Full – Part I’ at Bose Pacia, New York, in 2007; ‘Half Full – Part II’ at Nature Morte, New Delhi, in 2007; ‘It's Good to be Queen’ at Bose Pacia Artist Space, New York, in 2006; and ‘Drawing Room - II’ at Gallery Chemould, Mumbai, in 2006. Amongst her recent group shows are, 'Still Moving Image' at the Devi Art Foundation, New Delhi; 'Link' at Sakshi Art Gallery, Mumbai; 'Contradictions and Complexities: Contemporary Art From India' at d.e.n. Contemporary Art and Western Project, Culver City; and ‘Shifting Terrains / Altered Realities’ at the Shrine Gallery, New Delhi, all held in the year 2008.

Mithu Sen lives and works in New Delhi.

(Profile by Saffronart)