Collection: ANJOLIE ELA MENON

Anjolie Ela Menon, one of India’s most distinguished contemporary artists, was born on July 17, 1940, in Burnpur, Bengal, to a family of mixed Bengali and American heritage. Over the years, her artistic style has evolved into a distinctive, instantly recognizable, and unparalleled visual language. Critics have variously described her paintings as “magical,” “enigmatic,” and “mysterious,” evoking profound empathy in viewers, often bordering on the mystical. Defying the abstraction trend, Anjolie remained committed to figurative painting, infusing her landscapes, cityscapes, and interiors with subtle hints of human presence. With a career spanning over six decades, Anjolie began painting in the mid-1950s. Her early works, characterized by intuitive conviction and minimal formal training, reveal the genesis of her signature qualities and motifs. As a teenager, her oils exuded an endearing energy and enthusiasm, marking her as a colourist of rare virtuosity. Strong contrasts in tone, colour, and composition defined her early artistic explorations.