THE VIBRANCY AND SERENITY OF A SUB-CONTINENT
AN EXHIBITION AT MALLETT 1 – 10 NOVEMBER 2012
Sunita Kumar has an instinctive feel for her India – its warmth and diversity, the
extraordinary way in which vibrancy and serenity exist side by side and its colours that
live long in the memories of all who have been there. Sunita Kumar’s India, an
exhibition of new work by one of the sub-continent’s most respected artists, will be
held at Mallett, Ely House, 37 Dover St, London W1 from 1 – 10 November 2012. This
new body of paintings explores some familiar themes, not least the inspiration of
Mother Teresa of Calcutta, a close friend with whom Kumar worked for many years, as
well as new ones and mixes a traditional figurative style with an altogether freer hand.
“Painting to me is total peace,” says Kumar. “That’s the way I feel when I’m working,
I’m enjoying it, I’m happy.”
Kumar’s ability to capture the essence of India on canvas has attracted a wide
range of admirers over the years, not least the late M.F. Husain, one of India’s most
celebrated and internationally recognized artists, who said: “In the midst of all the
technical bravado and dazzle of art events, a painter serene in her presence and
subtle in her rendering of images in colour and line whispers in your ears…..that
serene and silent painter is Sunita Kumar.”
Jerry Hall, the model and former wife of Rolling Stones singer Mick Jagger, added: “She is incredibly talented and exudes an amazing combination of peace and creativity in her life and her
work. I love her playful, yet deeply spiritual, paintings which transport you to another
world of peace, harmony, laughter and love.”
A self-taught painter who has exhibited in London, Paris, New York, Florence, Mumbai,
New Delhi and Calcutta, Kumar was born in Lahore but has lived in Calcutta for most
of her life. She is married to Naresh Kumar, the respected Indian businessman who
was also a well-known international tennis player, captaining India’s Davis Cup team
and competing at Wimbledon for 20 consecutive championships. They have three
children and nine grandchildren.
