Have you seen the classic painting of the Maharaja of Indore who sits so firmly? The painting is made by Bernard Boutet de Monvel. The painting is of Yashwant Rao Holkar II, who sits poised on a white couch-like seat Holkar's white throne, with his sword on his lap on luxurious fabric. The painting reflects calmness and courage.
Now, imagine a woman in that painting instead. This is what Olympe Ramakrishna's art does. It makes you rethink the possibilities and through such visual language, it starts the discourse about reclaiming of power and the ongoing redefinition of gender roles, particularly within the rising middle class.
Born in Normandy, France, Ramakrishna spent a decade perfecting human form and studied drawing and painting in Paris. Just a day before Women's Day, the art exhibition "Woman of Urban India" was previewed at Galerie Romain Rolland, Alliance Française. The exhibition is curated by Shankar Tripathi.
"The exhibition curates Olympe’s series of powerful portraits that are suspended from the top, fluttering on large-scale dupion silk panels; panels that reminisce upon one of the most ubiquitous garments of Indian society, the sari. Olympe’s visuality and display design allows these women to float around in the gallery; a soaring presence that imbues our viewing experience with a sense of atmosphere and delight," explains Tripathi. Olympe, herself being a Franco-Indian artist, says that this series is a tribute to "quiet strength and individuality of co.