Jaya Ganguly's ongoing retrospective at the Centre of International Modern Art (CIMA) in Kolkata showcases her evolving body of work, from structured early pieces to abstract realism. The exhibition, curated by Rakhi Sarkar, traces the artist's career from her college days to the present, highlighting her focus on the struggles, endurance, and inner turmoil of women in a male-dominated society. Ganguly's art is described as instinctive and immersive, often exploring themes of breakage, destruction, pain, and trauma, yet ultimately conveying hope and rebellion.
This retrospective matters because it positions Jaya Ganguly as a pioneering figure in feminist liberation through visual art in India. By centering the collective voices and lived experiences of women, her work resonates with ongoing conversations about gender equality and social justice. The exhibition's chronological and thematic curation offers viewers insight into the artist's creative evolution, while also serving as a testament to the power of perseverance and the enduring relevance of feminist art in contemporary discourse.