In the heart of New Delhi, an evocative art exhibition explores the intricate layers of femininity, tradition, and modernity in urban India. As one steps into the Alliance Française de gallery, 12 striking portraits of women come alive on silk sarees, suspended midair— resembling saris drying on Indian rooftop terraces. Titled Women of Urban India, the exhibition delves into the evolving identities of contemporary Indian women, capturing their strength, defiance, and individuality. What makes this exhibition even more captivating is the artist behind it, Olympe Ramakrishna—a Frenchwoman who, after marrying a Bengaluru-based Indian man, found herself deeply connected to India and its culture.
A fusion of European artistic traditions and Indian cultural aesthetics, Ramakrishna’s work offers a compelling glimpse into the lives of middle-class, urban Indian women. A striking element of her work is the deliberate absence of backgrounds, allowing her subjects to take centre stage. By placing highly detailed depictions of her muses—Lux, Roopashree, Romi, Shuchika, Charisma, Kavitha, Chandu, Arpitha, Sneha, Hitha, Deepti, and even herself—against bold, flat colours, Olympe elevates their presence, emotions, and stories. The exhibition, now gaining widespread recognition, invites viewers into a compelling dialogue about gender, identity, and self-expression in contemporary India.
Olympe Ramakrishna Interview
Born into an artistic household in France, Ramakrishna was immersed in creativity from a young age. Her mother, a sculptor and art teacher, and her father, a fashion designer specialising in women’s couture, shaped her early artistic inclinations. “Without my knowledge, I was always sketching and painting women, or working with floral and botanical motifs,” she recalls. These early influences laid the foundation for her exploration of femininity and identity in her art.
Silk, particularly Karnataka’s dupion silk, plays a central role in Ramakrishna’s portraits. Having grown up surrounded by the rich textiles her father worked with, she formed a deep emotional connection to the material. “As a child, I played in silk; as a teenager, I helped iron it,” she shares. The textured, irregular surface of dupion silk, with its natural imperfections, serves as a powerful metaphor for a woman’s journey—unique, layered, and resilient.
One striking aspect of Ramakrishna’s work is the bold, direct gaze of her subjects. In a culture where women are often expected to lower their eyes, her portraits challenge this norm. “In France, eye contact is a sign of respect. When I moved to India 15 years ago, I realized that it could mean something entirely different here,” she explains. By exaggerating the eyes in her portraits, she invites the viewer to engage with the subject, to confront their presence rather than look away. Even when gazing sideways, her women never lower their eyes—a silent but powerful act of defiance.
Jewellery is another defining element in Ramakrishna’s art. “Jewellery has always been a symbol of femininity, but in India, it plays an especially significant role,” she notes. Each piece in her portraits carries a deeper meaning, from beetle-shaped earrings to a striking self-portrait where she wears a Mona Lisa earring—an homage to her son, Leonardo, named after da Vinci. These details weave personal and cultural narratives into her work.
Art as Meditation: Overcoming Self-Doubt
Like many artists, Ramakrishna has faced moments of self-doubt, but painting has been her anchor. “Art is my meditation. An oil painting can take me three months to complete, and in that time, I go through deep self-reflection,” she shares. She emphasizes the discipline required in art and encourages young women artists to persist: “Keep questioning, keep exploring. Find the nuances in your work, and most importantly, believe in yourself.”
Ramakrishna sees Women of Urban India as an ongoing exploration. “I want to expand this series to different states, capturing how identity shifts across regions,” she says. She is currently in the research phase, delving into new techniques and perspectives that will further enrich her portrayal of contemporary Indian women.
When asked about her inspirations, Ramakrishna names Amrita Sher-Gil, one of India’s most celebrated modern artists. “She is a perfect example of an artist who deeply explored identity and femininity,” she says. For aspiring women artists, her advice is simple yet profound: “Work hard, stay disciplined, and keep pushing your artistic boundaries.”
Through Women of Urban India, Olympe Ramakrishna is not just painting portraits; she is creating a movement—one that redefines how women see themselves and how the world sees them.
All images provided by the author.
