Monalisa Sarkar Mitra

Born in West Bengal in 1982 and raised in Jharkhand, Monalisa Sarkar Mitra is a contemporary Indian painter whose practice is deeply informed by nature, memory, human relationships, and the emotional landscapes of everyday life. The natural surroundings of her childhood continue to shape her visual vocabulary, particularly her sensitivity towards landscapes, animals, and the quiet rhythms of rural life. Mitra's work draws from Impressionism, Classicism, and Romanticism, alongside an engagement with the traditions of the Old Masters. 
Her paintings frequently combine figurative and narrative elements, using gesture, atmosphere, colour, and composition to evoke experiences of nostalgia, tenderness, hope, and belonging. Nature occupies a central position within her practice. Rather than functioning solely as a setting, landscapes, plants, and animals become active participants in her visual narratives. 
Her longstanding affinity with animals and the natural world reflects a personal connection to childhood memories while also addressing broader ideas of coexistence and the interconnectedness of life. Working primarily with charcoal and acrylic, Mitra approaches painting as a means of translating memory and imagination into visual form. Her works often balance observational detail with an emotive and lyrical quality, allowing intimate human experiences to coexist
with the broader presence of the natural world.
Her artistic journey spans more than two decades, beginning with an exhibition in Hirapur, Dhanbad, in 2000. Since then, her work has been presented at several established art institutions and galleries, including Lalit Kala Akademi, New Delhi; Jehangir Art Gallery, Mumbai; Academy of Fine Arts, Kolkata; Birla Academy of Art & Culture, Kolkata; GreenC Gallery, Jaipur; and Iconart Gallery, Hyderabad, alongside participation in art camps and exhibitions across India.
Mitra's practice is ultimately concerned with the enduring relationship between memory, nature, emotion, and human connection. Through her paintings, she seeks to preserve fleeting experiences and translate them into images that invite reflection on the beauty, vulnerability, and continuity of life.