Emami Art is pleased to present নিত্য – নূতন: The New in the Everyday, an exhibition of recent works by Soma Das, opening on 8 August 2026. Soma Das draws inspiration from her day-to-day existence and the scenes she witnessed growing up, for her works feature ordinary women and men leading unglamourous lives yet carving out spaces for joy, community, and rest. As she holds up a mirror to the mundane absurdities of daily life, a tongue-in-cheek sense of humour shows up, and the strata of society that we often tend to take for granted reveals its many joyful selves. At the same time, inanimate things in the house and in the hands of Das’s protagonists come alive, sharing centre stage with the people.

Although Das borrows the technique and approach from the tradition of Indian miniature paintings, but her nayaks and nayikas, often portrayed against floral backgrounds and domestic environments, demonstrate intention and agency – they are equals in the work they do together. With her keen observation skills and enduring empathy for her female protagonists, Das seeks out novelty in the everyday. In the vernacular language of the middle-class, she traverses the intricacies of gendered labour and leisure.

Soma Das draws inspiration from a multitude of influences, including her late father’s livelihood as a carpenter; a liberating experience of living away from her familiar space at an artist residency; and her mother’s habit of collecting bits and pieces from magazines, among other things. This has shaped her recent explorations in newer mediums alongside paintings in gouache – she now works with metal, wood, and terracotta. Such a range of artworks record a deeply relatable humanity, fulfilling a need for connection in the artist, her community, and the viewer.

Quotes

“Emami Art is delighted to present নিত্য – নূতন: The New in the Everyday, a solo exhibition featuring works by Soma Das, a contemporary artist from Bengal, this August. I have had the pleasure of being associated with Das since 2018 and it has been a long journey of watching the unique protagonists of her work evolve and grow as she navigated national and international residency programmes, art fairs, and group exhibitions. This solo highlights her enduring experimentation with mediums.”

Richa Agarwal

CEO, Emami Art

“নিত্য – নূতন: The New in the Everyday is a much-awaited solo of Soma Das’s works – one that we have been eagerly looking forward to since her duo show with us in 2022. This time, Emami Art is showcasing a variety of works in wood, metal, and hand-embroidered textile alongside her paintings in gouache. Her works, grounded firmly in the living reality of working-class women and men of India, navigate love, labour, and leisure in equal measure, highlighting the simple joys of living. Painting a picture of quiet strength with a certain tongue-in-cheek humour running through her oeuvre, Das delights us with her range of works.”

Ushmita Sahu

Director and Head Curator, Emami Art

About the Artist

Soma Das (b. 1979) is a contemporary Indian artist who graduated with a First Class in her BVA and MFA in Painting from Rabindra Bharati University in 2007 and 2009 respectively.

Notable exhibitions include a solo show Different Facets of Life, Gallery Nakshatra, Kolkata, 2010; a duo show, Between Selves and Silhouettes curated by Adip Dutta, Emami Art, Kolkata, 2022; Bengal Nama curated by Ina Puri at Bikaner House, New Delhi and presented by Gallery Art Positive, 2022; CIMA Awards Show, CIMA Gallery, Kolkata, 2015 and 2017; Summer Show CIMA Gallery, Kolkata in 2015 and 2017; Lalit Kala Academy, Kolkata, 2015; among several others. Her works were presented by Emami Art at Art Mumbai 2025, 2024; IAF EDI+IONS Hyderabad 2025; India Art Fair 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, and 2020; and Art Düsseldorf 2024.

She participated in the International Artists Residency Exchange Program at Kira A. Princess of Prussia Foundation (Germany, Italy) in collaboration with Emami Art in 2022; and the residency program at the Hampi Art Labs for the October – December (2024) session. She was awarded a Certificate of Merit by the Academy of Fine Arts in 2009 and the State Academy Award in 2008.

Soma Das lives and works in Kolkata.

About Emami Art

Emami Art is a prominent contemporary art gallery and cultural production space located on the ground floor of the Kolkata Centre for Creativity’s Green Building. Established in 2017, it adopts a forward-looking, multi-dimensional approach that reflects South Asia’s history, socio-cultural, and geo-political narratives. Emami Art operates within an inclusive framework where profitability supports sustainable resource regeneration and public service.

The gallery features a dynamic program of curated exhibitions, ranging from large-scale presentations to more intimate displays. It actively participates in both national and international events and art fairs. Emami Art represents a wide spectrum of contemporary artists, including emerging, mid-career, and established talents, with a special emphasis on the East and North Eastern regions of India. Several of its artists’ works are featured in prominent national and international collections, including public foundations and museums. A key initiative is the annual Emami Art Experimental Film Festival, which provides a platform for alternative and experimental filmmaking, video art, and moving image practices. This festival brings together internationally acclaimed artists and filmmakers alongside recent critical productions from India.

Through short- and long-term projects, Emami Art supports the local and regional arts community by offering regular mentorship programs, workshops, residency opportunities, and innovative educational activities. These initiatives foster artistic development, build collaborative networks, and provide a supportive environment for emerging talent. The gallery also organizes regular talks, seminars, panel discussions, and conversations with artists, curators, and key partners, creating a space for critical engagement. Committed to promoting a regional, national, and international agenda, Emami Art emphasizes community engagement, socially relevant initiatives, and institutional partnerships. With a multi-year vision for the future, it continues to be a catalyst for change, research, innovation, and inclusivity.

Venue
777, Anandapur, EM Bypass, Kolkata 700107

Artists
Ella Wang Olsson, aka xiexie3lla

Exhibition Dates
August 8 – September 18, 2026

Gallery Hours
Tuesday – Sunday | 11 AM – 7 PM

Website
https://www.emamiart.com/

Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/emami_art/

Contact
sreyashi.pr@emamiart.com 
ushmitasahu@emamiart.com

(Text and images courtesy of Emami Art)