Of identity & tradition

Women of Urban India, an evocative exhibition by French-Indian artist Olympe Ramakrishna, captures the essence of contemporary Indian women navigating the complexities of modernity while staying rooted in tradition. For this Women of Urban India series that comprises 12 frames, Ramakrishna portrays 11 women from her own circle—friends, neighbours, and cousins—alongside a self-portrait, integrating herself into their shared narrative. These women, in their 20s and 40s, embody the dynamic spirit of India’s urban middle class. Through oil painting and large-scale digital prints on silk panels, Ramakrishna merges classical and contemporary artistic techniques, evoking the ever-present fabric of the saree, a symbol of both sensuality and heritage. Her work resonates with familiar urban Indian scenes—vivid textiles swaying on rooftop terraces, awaiting the ritual of adornment.

Ramakrishna’s work focuses on identity, memory and cultural intersections. Blending painting, photography, and textile art, she explores themes of heritage and modernity. Her work has been exhibited internationally, fostering conversations on the evolving narratives of women in contemporary societies.

On till April 28 at Art Gallery of Alliance Française Chandigarh.