Arpita Singh was born on 22 June 1937 in the affluent Bengal Presidency. She worked at the Weavers’ Service Centre and the Cottage Industries Restoration Program. She was honoured with the 2011 Padma Bhushan.
If we had to dilute Arpita Singh’s artist style, she would undoubtedly dominate the categories of figurative and modernist artists. In a way, she is a champion of women. She constantly plays with the gender dynamics of the modern world.
In some of her paintings, she draws naked women. However, these do not carry sexual overtones, instead, they elucidate her vulnerability; the idea behind these artworks stemmed from the social injustices and discrimination against women.
Devi Pistol Wali (1990)
Arpita Singh modernises the tale of ‘Durga.’ The deity who is often seen in red wears a white saree. She has swapped her trident in favour of a gun. Under her lies a man, who eerily resembles Rajiv Gandhi wearing white tennis shoes.
If You Only Let Me (2022)
In this painting, Arpita Singh paints a field of emerald green with park benches and solitary black figures. Looking at the painting may make you feel morose, evoking the feeling of loss.