Gallery Silver Scpaes
Baba- Bibi series
Baba- Bibi series
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Artist: Shyamal Mukherjee
Medium: Reverse Acrylic on Acrylic Sheet
Size: 24 × 24 inches (60.96 × 60.96 cm)
Year: 2023
Shyamal Mukherjee’s Baba Bibi series continues to captivate with its vibrant palette, expressive figures, and masterful use of the reverse acrylic on acrylic sheet technique. Each piece offers a glimpse into Mukherjee’s ongoing exploration of everyday relationships, humor, and cultural identity through the lens of folk-inspired visual storytelling.
Rendered in bold, saturated hues, each painting features iconic, stylized characters drawn from domestic life, recognizable as "Baba" and "Bibi," archetypes of the Bengali household. Mukherjee’s figures are immediately identifiable: rounded faces, large glasses, richly patterned garments, and expressive postures that convey a sense of familiarity and charm. The emotional core of the works lies in the gestures, be it a shared look, a subtle smile, or a moment of contemplation. These small but powerful details transform caricature into character, making each figure feel lived-in and emotionally resonant.
Executed in reverse on the back of transparent acrylic sheets, the technique demands precision and forethought, as each layer, from fine outlines to background fields, must be applied in reverse order. The result is a smooth, glossy surface that enhances the vibrancy and depth of color while preserving the fine intricacy of pattern and texture. Backgrounds are often filled with symbolic motifs, fish, birds, and textiles that further enrich the narrative quality of the compositions.
Mukherjee remains faithful to the visual lexicon he has developed over the decades, yet these works also feel refreshingly immediate and contemporary. His use of traditional dress, facial expressions, and domestic iconography speaks to cultural continuity, while the whimsical exaggeration and vivid color choices reflect a modern, playful sensibility.
Together, the paintings form a charming and visually cohesive diptych (or larger set), celebrating the warmth, humor, and rituals of everyday companionship. The Baba Bibi series not only showcases Shyamal Mukherjee’s technical skill but also his deep affection for the stories and characters of Indian life, rendered with wit, affection, and unmistakable personality.
Why Choose Us
Art has always, naturally, reflected the development and exploration of different thoughts and perceptions, and our current postmodern era is no different. It is interesting to see how art has evolved visually, yet the traditional methods of composing art remain a valid means of expression.
All it takes for an artist to rise above normalcy, is inspiration, which fuels his passion to paint beautiful creations throughout his life.
The valuable expression of art is always there with us, but now this expression is yet to take an interesting diversion with our art gallery, Gallery Silver Scapes, located in Hauz Khas Enclave. Art is no longer considered just decorative but has evolved and come forth as a major form of investment yielding high rates of returns for its buyers, making it an expression commonly used.
Mrs Mayor was walked into the art world by the legendary modernist Bimal Das Gupta, one of whose biggest collections remains with Gallery Silver Scapes. In the 1980s, as head and first curator of the Habiart Gallery founded by Mrs Rekha Modi — a childhood friend — Mrs Mayor worked closely with and curated shows for renowned artists such as A Ramachandran, GR Santosh, Rameshwar Broota, Sakti Burman, MK Bardhan, Dhiraj Chaudhury, M Sivanesan, and Arup Das among others.
Besides modern masters, she also worked with young contemporaries such as Sudip Roy, Paresh Maity, Subroto Kundu, Vinod Sharma, and many more. Artworks commissioned by her are now part of prestigious collections, such as those of the India Habitat Centre, Ranbaxy, Pepsi, Hotel Lalit, Bank of America, and many more private and public collections.