Celebrating Six Decades of Artistic Innovation Through Myth, Memory, and Modernity
Arpita Singh, My Lollipop City: Gemini Rising, 2005. Courtesy of Vadehra Art Gallery © Arpita Singh.
Serpentine North presents ‘Remembering’, the first institutional solo exhibition of Arpita Singh outside India, celebrating her six-decade artistic career. The exhibition runs from 20 March to 27 July 2025.
Born in Baranagar in 1937, Singh emerged in the 1960s with a distinctive painting style that blends Surrealism, figuration, and elements of Indian Court painting. Her practice evolved over time, incorporating abstraction and intricate line work using pen, ink, and pastels to create rich textures and layered narratives.
‘Remembering’ showcases a selection of Singh’s works, ranging from large-scale oil paintings to intimate watercolours and ink drawings. Through her vivid compositions, Singh explores emotional responses to social upheaval and humanitarian crises, while engaging with themes of gender, history, and mythology.
Reflecting on the exhibition, Singh states, “’Remembering’ draws from old memories from which these works emerged. Whether I am aware of it or not, something is always happening at my core. It is how my life flows. Serpentine is a known and well-established gallery. To have a solo show there is a pleasure, an honour, and a surprise to me.”
Serpentine’s CEO Bettina Korek and Artistic Director Hans Ulrich Obrist add, “We are honoured to present London’s first institutional exhibition of Arpita Singh. For over half a century, Singh has produced a prolific body of work, blending Bengali folk art with modernist explorations of identity. Her art portrays personal and universal narratives, merging history, symbolism, and lived experience. This exhibition builds on Serpentine’s commitment to spotlighting artists whose significant contributions to contemporary art deserve wider recognition.”
From the 1990s onward, Singh’s work increasingly engaged with themes of gender, motherhood, sensuality, vulnerability, and violence. She examined the psychological impact of socio-political events on women, particularly those within her community.
A notable piece in the exhibition is Devi Pistol Wali (1990), an oil painting depicting the many-armed Hindu goddess Devi standing over a man’s body. Dressed in a white sari, she holds a pistol, a vase of flowers, and a mango, while floral motifs frame the composition. The work exemplifies Singh’s reimagining of Indian myths in contemporary contexts, highlighting the complexities of women navigating public spaces.
Another striking work is A Feminine Tale (1995), a reverse painting on acrylic that features a solitary female figure surrounded by vases, cars, flowerpots, and telephones. Text and numbers appear throughout the composition, hinting at hidden narratives. Singh’s abstract symbols and layered meanings invite viewers to interpret the work in their own way.
The exhibition also includes large-scale cityscapes, such as My Lollipop City: Gemini Rising (2005), where Singh juxtaposes urban chaos with astrological references. Figures, vehicles, and landmarks of New Delhi emerge in a vibrant, fragmented map, underscoring her fascination with discordant realities.
Singh resists singular interpretation, emphasizing the fluidity of meaning in her work. “When a work grows, the starting point melts. References become signals, guiding anyone and everyone to their own place of understanding,” she reflects.
Accompanying the exhibition is the most comprehensive publication on Singh in the past decade. Designed by Mark El-khatib Studio, it features contributions from Booker Prize-winning author Geetanjali Shree, art historian Geeta Kapur, artist Nilima Sheikh, curator Devika Singh, and poet Nikita Gill. The catalogue underscores Singh’s impact on contemporary art and her influence across generations.
Arpita Singh (b. 1937, Baranagar, India) is a pioneering figure in post-independence Indian art. After graduating from Delhi Polytechnic in 1959, she worked alongside Nilima Sheikh, Nalini Malani, and Madhvi Parekh to challenge the male-dominated art scene. Her work has been featured in major exhibitions worldwide, including the Kiran Nadar Museum of Art (2019), the Guggenheim Bilbao (2022), the Centre Pompidou (2021), and the Kochi-Muziris Biennale (2022). She has received numerous awards, including the Padma Bhushan (2011) and the Kalidas Samman (1991).
Serpentine, located in London’s Kensington Gardens, presents pioneering contemporary art exhibitions and events. With a legacy spanning over 50 years, Serpentine showcases both emerging and internationally renowned artists, fostering connections between art and audiences. The annual Serpentine Pavilion commission features the first UK structures by some of the world’s most celebrated architects. Committed to public engagement, Serpentine maintains free access to all exhibitions.
The exhibition will be on view from the 20th of March until the 27th of July, 2025. For more information, please visit Serpentine Galleries.
