Anjolie Ela Menon

Anjolie Ela Menon, born on July 17, 1940, in Burnpur, West Bengal, stands as one of India's most revered contemporary artists. Her journey in the world of art began in the mid-1950s, displaying an unmistakable and unparalleled style that has earned her descriptors like "magical," "enigmatic," and "mysterious." Anjolie's paintings resonate with a profound empathy, at times approaching the mystical, drawing viewers into a world uniquely her own.

Remaining staunchly figurative during the era of abstract trends, Anjolie's works, be they landscapes, cityscapes, or interiors, carry an inherent trace of the human presence through its absence. Her artistic evolution commenced in the 1950s, marked by strong intuitive conviction but limited formal training, which she acquired later. As a teenage painter, her canvases pulsated with energy and enthusiasm. Anjolie emerged early on as a colorist of rare virtuosity, characterized by strong tonal contrasts and compositions. Her early subjects often comprised portraits of friends and relatives, rooted in the intense personal experiences of her sensitive adolescence.

The celebrated painter M.F. Husain played a pivotal role in Anjolie's artistic trajectory. He orchestrated her first exhibition in a Delhi garden and introduced her to Mumbai's art circles during the late '50s and early '60s. Anjolie's exposure to art burgeoned during her visit to New York in 1959, leaving an indelible impact. Subsequently, she secured a scholarship at the Ecole de Beaux Arts in Paris, overcoming financial hardships and academic challenges.

While Anjolie's early work exuded youthful verve and absorbed various influences, her late 1970s paintings reflected a poignant undertone, possibly stemming from the grief after her father's demise in 1976. The empty chair became a potent symbol of mourning in her compositions. Paradoxically, this period, marked by bereavement, proved to be prolific for Anjolie. The years 1976-82 witnessed numerous exhibitions, establishing her as a cult figure in public consciousness.

Anjolie Ela Menon's preferred medium was oil on masonite, which she applied by using a series of translucent colours and thin washes. In addition to oil paintings and murals, she worked in several other mediums, including computer graphics and Murano glass.

Awards adorned her illustrious career, including the Padma Shri in 2000, recognition in the Limca Book of Records, a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Government of Delhi in 2013, and the National Kalidas Samman for Visual Arts from the Government of Madhya Pradesh in 2018.

Anjolie Ela Menon's notable works include Yatra, Looking Out of a Window, Acolyte, Portrait of a Young Actor, The Magician Story "Yashodha and Krishna," "Mother & Child," "Goat People," "Adam and Eve," "Nude Eden Revisited," and "Woman with Fruits." Her art, shaped by personal narratives and experiences, continues to captivate audiences globally, making her a luminous figure in the Indian art landscape.