Five decades of Shipra Bhattacharya’s art come together in Kolkata retrospective
A retrospective exhibition celebrating five decades of artist Shipra Bhattacharya’s work opened at a Kolkata gallery on Tuesday (July 14, 2026). Titled In Bloom, the
A retrospective exhibition celebrating five decades of artist Shipra Bhattacharya’s work opened at a Kolkata gallery on Tuesday (July 14, 2026). Titled In Bloom, the exhibition provides a complete tracing of the artist’s practice over the last 50 years, bringing together a large body of her paintings, drawings and sculptures. Bhattacharya is renowned for her evocative portrayals of women and emotionally layered visual narratives. The veteran artist explores themes of identity, memory, resilience and transformation. Recurring motifs such as flowers, birds, animals and ornamental patterns drawn from folk and indigenous traditions are featured in the exhibition, revealing the layered depictions of the artists’ worldview, which was informed by both personal experience and collective memory.
At the preview at the Kolkata Centre for Creativity (KCC) in association with Gallery Sanskriti, Ms. Bhattacharya said the retrospective is not to the end of her artwork, but a part of her continuing journey as an artist. “As an artist, I have never consciously pursued a destination. Every work has been a response to life as I have witnessed, felt and imagined it. In Bloom is an opportunity to look back at these five decades, not as a conclusion, but as a continuous process of growth and transformation.
I hope viewers find their own emotions and experiences reflected within these works,” she said. Richa Agarwal, Chairperson of KCC and CEO of Emami Art, said the exhibition celebrated an artistic practice that has remained relevant across generations. “With In Bloom, we are honoured to celebrate Shipra Bhattacharya’s remarkable artistic journey spanning five decades. Through her distinctive visual language, she has explored themes of identity and memory with depth and quiet grace. We hope the retrospective offers visitors an opportunity to experience the breadth of her practice and appreciate the enduring relevance of her work,” she said.
The exhibition will remain open to visitors until July 24.
The BriefWire