“Partha Bhattacharjee’s women remind one of the tender stirring in Tagore’s poetry. They are all limpid eyes and quivering consciousness. Their minds are as transparent as their skins and a light emanates from both.... They are deep and dark like night, mellow like the autumn and they speak to anyone who sees them even without saying a word..” Bhattacharjee is one of the most promising portrait painters of the country whose penchant for evocative use of line, texture and tones are remarkably depicted in his works. His gift for technical execution is evident in the female portraits — each of whom seem to convey the very essence of feminity — complex, mysterious and emanating supernatural power (Shakti) from their very beings. The present exhibition showcases Bhattacharjee’s subjects — again, mostly women, struggling to overcome their predicament. The artist searches keenly, yearning to find the ‘Mother’ figure in a materialistic world where morals and cautions are thrown to the air for survival. The initial shift in morality and compromising traditional values for immediate gains shocks him but a greater realisation leads him to paint a crucified girl on the canvas. Bhattacharjee’s cerebral journey across time zones (past- present) teaches him to mellow his emotions.

When: Till November 16; 3 pm - 8 pm

Where: Academy of Fine Arts, New South Gallery