Soma Das
Soma Das is a contemporary Indian artist based in Kolkata. Her paintings delve into the everyday life of working-class individuals, primarily housemaids from low-income suburbs, through a rather unique and feminine perspective. The subjects of her paintings are seen against a spread-out, usually monochromatic, background offering one a focused gaze into the subject(s) who are engrossed in the business of living. This often includes the most mundane elements of everyday existence ranging from a woman helping her child with daily activities, brushing her own hair, preparing paan during a leisurely time to bashing a cockroach with a broom.
Born into a conservative, lower middle class family, Soma Das spent most of her time with women. Her childhood experiences surrounded by these women and observing their day-to-day activities contributed heavily to shaping Das’ worldview as an artist. Her paintings that speak of the life of ordinary people are rendered in the language of miniature paintings.