Shanu Lahiri occupies a distinctive place in Indian modern art, combining an expressive visual language with a deep commitment to public engagement. Known for her vibrant colours, fluid lines and striking human figures, she explored themes of women, urban life, social inequality and everyday experiences. Interestingly, Lahiri’s contribution extended beyond the canvas. She was a passionate art educator and public-art pioneer who transformed Kolkata’s walls into vibrant spaces of collective expression, involving children and communities in mural projects. In doing so, her practice challenged the boundaries between gallery art and public life.
Stories that never end: Journeying with Shanu Lahiri – A Retrospective curated by Tapati Guha-Thakurta and Nobina Gupta at Project 88 in Mumbai, celebrates the spirit of the painter, muralist, educator and feminist art pioneer. On view till September 19, the retrospective at the Colaba address is showcasing Lahiri’s works, from the 1970s till the 2000s, and highlights her modernist style, her cultivation of a mid-20th century Parisian aesthetic, her narrative series unfolding around the retelling of myths and legends through themes like Ragamala, Ravan-Sita, Elokeshi, and other regional folklores.