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Pioneering Women's Art Group Thrives for Over 4 Decades
6 Nov
Summary
- Women's art collective The Group celebrates 42nd exhibition
- Founded in 1983 by Pancha Kanya artists to carve space for women
- Latest exhibition led by veteran artist Mahua Bhattacharya
In 2025, one of the world's oldest collectives of women artists, The Group, is set to present its 42nd exhibition at the Academy of Fine Arts in Kolkata from November 10 to 16. The collective was established in 1983 by the founding Pancha Kanya artists - Shanu Lahiri, Karuna Shaha, Meera Mukherjee, Santosh Rohtagi, and Shyamasree Basu - with the aim of carving out a space for women artists in a male-dominated art scene.
While the last of the Pancha Kanya, Shyamasree Basu, passed away in 2023, the collective has continued its annual exhibitions uninterrupted. This year, veteran artist Mahua Bhattacharya will lead the exhibition, showcasing her acrylic and mixed-media works inspired by Bengali folk art and the daily life of Kolkata. Bhattacharya will be joined by seven other painters and two sculptors, all members of The Group.
The Group's perseverance and success in hosting these exhibitions over the past four decades is a testament to the collective's resolve to provide a platform for women artists. Despite facing initial scorn and condescension, the group managed to attract support from celebrated male artists, further solidifying their position in the art world.
