The Monalisa Kalagram is delighted to present FOUND SURFACES, a solo exhibition of paintings by acclaimed artist Sujata Dharap, on view from September 19 to October 5, 2025. The show will be inaugurated with a lamp lighting on September 19 at 6.30pm.
In FOUND SURFACES, Dharap explores the tactile stories of wood and papyrus, materials she discovered in her travels. Distressed wood, salvaged plywood, and papyrus — the world’s oldest writing surface — become integral to her work, not as backdrops but as active participants in the creative process. Through chiseling, layering, and painting, she brings forward a unique dialogue between medium and meaning, surface and story.
Sujata Dharap’s career spans over four decades, with more than 30 solo and dual shows across India and abroad, and participation in international group exhibitions in the USA, Australia, and Dubai. Her mural works — over 220 in mosaic, wood, and metal — enliven architectural spaces in India and overseas. Recipient of the Maharashtra State Award (1981) and the All India Arts & Crafts Society’s National Award (1986), she continues to be celebrated for her contribution to contemporary Indian art.
Alongside her studio practice, Dharap has dedicated herself to art education for nearly four decades, teaching children and adults at her Pune studio, and conducting workshops at institutions such as NID, Manipal University, and Millennium School, Dubai. She has also played a vital role in the cultural life of the city as Joint Director of the Pune Biennale (2015–2020) and co-founder of Art Mandai.
FOUND SURFACES reflects Dharap’s enduring fascination with architecture, memory, and nature’s ephemerality. Each work resonates with the layered histories of the materials, while simultaneously charting her journey of self-discovery.
When: September 20-October 5, 2025; 10.30 am–7.30 pm
Where: Monalisa Kalagram, Pingale Farms, South Main Road, Koregaon Park, Pune
