Page 8 - Anjolie Ela Menon - Inner Vision
P. 8

INTRODUCTION
















                                                                                                                                                                 O      ne of the most distinguished and prominent
                                                                                                                                                                        Indian artists today, Anjolie Ela Menon was
                                                                                                                                                                        born in Burnpur, Asansol, in a Bengali and
                                                                                                                                                                  American household on the 17th of July 1940. She
                                                                                                                                                                  took up art at an early age, even selling some of her
                                                                                                                                                                  art  by the  age  of  15. She  then  went  on  to  study
                                                                                                                                                                  briefly  at  the  J.J.  School  of  Fine  Arts  and  then
                                                                                                                                                                  studied English literature at Miranda House, Delhi
                                                                                                                                                                  University. Artists like Amrita Sher-Gil, Modigliani
                                                                                                                                                                  and M.F. Husain had a large impact on the artist at
                                                                                                                                                                  this time, with the latter even helping organise
                                                                                                                                                                  Menon’s first exhibition when she was 18. Husain
                                                                                                                                                                  also designed the invitations for the show. This solo
                                                                                                                                                                  exhibition showcased 53 of her works executed in
                                                                                                                                                                  various styles, earning her acclaim from famed
                                                                                                                                                                  critic Richard Bartholomew. The critic stated the
                                                                                                                                                                  following while elaborating on her art, “I have no
                                                                                                                                                                  doubt that before long this gifted young woman
                                                                                                                                                                  will be joining the ranks of our very best painters.”
                                                                                                                                                                  Besides being a mentor and friend to Menon, M.F.
                                                                                                                                                                  Husain was also the reason behind the artist carry-
                                                                                                                                                                  ing around paints and brushes with her in a small
                                                                                                                                                                  bag so she could paint whenever inspiration struck,
                                                                                                                                                                  in whatever space was available. He continued to
                                                                                                                                                                  be an ardent supporter of her art through his life,
                                                                                                                                                                  introducing her to art circles in Bombay in the 50’s
                                                                                                                                                                  and 60’s and promoting her art.
















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