Meenakshi Jha Banerjee

Meenakshi Jha Banerjee, a contemporary painter by profession, working in this field for the past 20 years. I am from Bihar. My roots are deep sown in Madhubani. I am best known for my experimentation with the traditional elements of Mithila art forms. Over the years, I have evolved a signature style of my own where the feelings, emotions, elements, intricacies and tradition of Madhubani paintings are merged with current subjects, modern medium and contemporary skill, in a diversified dimension.

This is Meenakshi Jha Banerjee, acontemporary painter by profession, working in this field for the past 20 years. I am from Bihar (INDIA). My roots are deep sown in Madhubani, a district of North Bihar, internationally known for the vivid and vibrant panorama of tradition, embedded in the folk paintings of the region.

I am best known for my experimentations with the traditional elements of Mithila art forms. Over the years, I have evolved a signature style of my own where the feelings, emotions, elements, intricacies and tradition of Madhubani paintings are merged with current subjects, modern medium and contemporary skill, in a diversified dimension. I majorly work with acrylic on stretched canvass.

Initially I practiced the traditional and colloquial techniques. As I matured, I started responding to social actions and contemporarisation. My works are inspired by the intricate simplicity of the folk art which I inherited and the vibrancy of modern masters, which I admire. My signature style has a balanced influence of both.

Every piece of my work has minute and intricate detailing which reflects the skill and multiple layering/patching on selective areas reflects the understanding of the pallete and mood.

My works are in collections and displays at various Government and Corporate organizations like Offices of Govt. of Bihar, Buddha International Museum, PatnaIndian railways, Airport Authority, Life insurance corporation of India, Unicef, ITCetc. Organisations likeIndian oil, kalyanpur cement , Allahabad bank, Indian army, IFFCO,have also patronized my works. Besides these my works are in collections of private buyers in India and abroad have acquired her works.

I have been adorned with a couple of laurels including Bihar Kala Samman ( State award) for 2013.

In the past few years I have explored with themes like ‘hijras’, Kali , shakti, et al. In the last seven-eight years I had been successfully selling my works through the Internet, as well. Some of my collectors are from Europe, USA, CanadaAfrica and major metros of India, who regularly patronize my works.

Major clients in the past:

ITC corporate office Patna, Indian Railways, LIC, Govt of Bihar,

IFFCO, buyers on Indian art Collectors, UNICEF, Allahabad Bank, Airport Authority etc.

Awards & Recognitions

• Bihar kala samman 2013
• All India National exhibition –two consecutive years
• Swami Vivekanand Yuva Puraskar
• Sidheswari Devi Puraskar
• V P Sinha foundation award
• R N Pandey smriti Puraskar

Major recent Exhibitions

• Solo show at India Habitat Center New Delhi/December/ 2013
• State Award “young artist” by Dept. of Art& Culture, Govt. of Bihar/ Feb 2013
• State workshop “ Lalit Kala Akademi , Bihar/2013
• Solo Show “Basanti “ at Lalit Kala Akademi , New Delhi (Aug 2012)
• Solo Show “ Basanti at Patna Art College (March 2012)
• Solo Show “ Basanti at Art Maestro New Delhi, (Feb 2012)