Arpita Singh

Summary

Arpita Singh (born June 22, 1937) is a distinguished Indian modernist and figurative artist whose work is characterized by a curated carnival of images and subversive storytelling. Born in Baranagar, West Bengal, she pursued her artistic training at the Delhi Polytechnic from 1954 to 1959. Her early professional experiences at the Weavers' Service Centre and the Cottage Industries Restoration Program deeply influenced her aesthetic, integrating textile design and traditional Indian folk art into her canvases. A founder member of the artists' group 'The Unknown' in the 1960s, Singh has evolved her style from early black-and-white ink and watercolor works to complex oil paintings on canvas. Her art frequently explores the domestic and social spheres of women, capturing a spectrum of emotions from joy and hope to vulnerability and social injustice. By blending miniaturist painting and traditional aesthetics with contemporary themes, she addresses the societal pressures and challenges faced by women in India.

Throughout her prolific career, Singh has exhibited her work globally, with notable showcases at the Royal Academy of Arts in London, the Centre Georges Pompidou in Paris, and the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth. She has also been a pivotal figure in collaborative efforts, organizing the 'Through The Looking Glass' exhibition with other prominent women artists. Her immense contribution to Indian art has been recognized with prestigious accolades, including the Padma Bhushan in 2011, the Kalidas Samman in 1998-99, and a Fellowship of Lalit Kala Akademi in 2014. Currently residing in New Delhi, she remains a towering figure in the modernist movement, continuing to push the boundaries of figurative art.