May 2019 / 'Such a Long Journey' by Mamta Chitnis Sen, India
ART, RESEARCH, THEORY: In the May column we are pleased to feature Mamta Chitnis Sen, an artist, writer and mother from India, whose paintings most often focus on the lives of women in rural India. In this column Mamta tells about her experiences of being an artist-mother in India, painting women farmers and how her recent art residency to the Baltics has effected her perspective on art and life. The works displayed here were made during her recent participation in an art residency in Lithuania, hosted by Sanskritik Mandala.
Mamta Chitnis Sen, India.
Mamta Chitnis Sen studied at Sir J J School of Art and is also their Hon-Researcher, documenting the history of the institute right back to its founding in 1857. A journalist for over two decades, she has worked with publications in Mumbai, reporting on crime, politics, religion, art, community, human interest, and news. She was Executive Editor of Dignity Dialogue, and presently handles Media Advocacy for Child Rights and You-CRY – an NGO for underprivileged children. Mamta is involved in various community outreach programs and is the Curator of Bihar Foundation’s art gallery - Zierou, organising exhibitions, workshops and training programmes aimed at promoting art and culture. In 2011, Mamta founded Canvas Clan, a congregation of painters of various ages, and curated two shows under the banners: Random Strokes and Resurrection Bihar. Her art has been published in journals and anthologies such as Studio To Studio—The Artists’ Working Theory & Practice and Les Femmes Folles: The Women 2016. Women have been an integral part of Mamta’s work both in writing and in making art. In addition she has hosted workshops for women and has authored a paper on these experiences titled ‘Evolving Role of Women in Political Parties’.
See here to read ‘Such A Long Journey: An art residency in the Baltics that shaped up an Indian mother artist's perspective on life’ by Mamta Chitnis Sen
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