At 79, Mumbai-based artist Shailaja S. Kamat continues to paint with the curiosity of a beginner and the confidence of a seasoned hand. Her upcoming solo exhibition, Beyond the Shapes, will be on view at Leela Art Gallery, Mumbai, from 27th October to 2nd November, showcasing a collection of cityscapes and nature-inspired works that reflect her enduring fascination with structure, rhythm, and balance. What makes Kamat’s journey remarkable is not just her talent, but her unwavering dedication to art… an energy that seems only to grow stronger with time. Drawing more from imagination than reference, her paintings unfold like visual conversations with the world around her.
 |
| Artist Shailaja Kamat |
Kamat’s tryst with art began when she was barely eight or ten, painting greeting cards and experimenting with watercolours as a simple childhood hobby. What started as play soon grew into a lifelong passion. With no formal training, she painted purely out of love until encouragement from those around her inspired her to take it more seriously. Under the mentorship of well-known artist and art teacher Satyendra Rane, she refined her technique and discovered her own visual language in acrylics. Over the years, she has developed a distinctive style - vibrant cityscapes that balance order with emotion, and structure with spontaneity.
 |
| Painting by Shailaja Kamat |
In Beyond the Shapes, Kamat explores the relationship between the built environment and nature - the dynamic interplay between concrete and calm, between manmade order and organic beauty. “My exhibition explores the diverse architecture and landscapes of the nation,” she says. “While its central focus is on the built environment, from the dense geometry of cities to the serene structures of rural villages and temples, it also incorporates works of nature and flora. Through this juxtaposition, I invite viewers to consider the relationship between human construction and the natural world.”
Having exhibited her works across India and Dubai, Kamat’s journey in architectural art has been shaped by years of close observation and experimentation. “My move to cityscape art was a natural progression of a lifelong passion,” she shares. “From a young age, I was captivated by architectural design and the different ways light plays on structures. I try to translate those observations, sometimes literally, sometimes abstractly, into colour and form. The process is deeply meditative, and the emotion that emerges through vibrant hues gives me immense joy and fulfilment.”
Created over the last four years or so, the show features approximately 25 to 30 works in acrylic and watercolour, varying in size and composition. “It has taken me about eight to ten years to put all these works together. Each painting represents a stage of learning, growth, and discovery”, she concludes.
Shailaja S Kamat’s art show ‘Beyond the Shapes’ will be on display at Leela Art Gallery, The Leela, Andheri (E), Mumbai, from 27th October to 2nd November 2025
Art blogazine News - Kala Ghoda Mumbai
