An Alexandria artist is preparing to host her first-ever portrait exhibition at the Torpedo Factory Art Center this fall.
Lifelong artist Mahua Mazumdar’s new exhibition, “Expressions of Light,” features 15 portraits “exploring the nuances of human presences, vulnerability, complexity and joyous moments,” she told ALXnow. The collection will be available to view at The Art League Gallery from Nov. 12-Dec. 7 at 105 N. Union Street.
With this new exhibit, the portraitist wants to help others “feel like they can escape from the different challenges around them.”
“That has been my intention throughout the process,” Mazumdar said. “There is no image of anyone crying or looking particularly stressed or sad, and that’s a reflection of this post-pandemic period where I want people to feel good — not in the dark or isolated.”
Through portraiture, she said she is aiming to tell stories about her subjects while harnessing “light and optimism, good things and joy.” During the creative process — which can take up to six weeks per portrait — the artist gets up close and personal to her subjects.
“I speak with them quite a bit,” she said. “I visit their home or office, see how they live and work, understand them, and then try and bring some of that in their sittings.”
Mazumdar studied oil painting at The Art League and the George Washington University’s Corcoran School of the Arts & Design, as well as with Italian artists Michael John Angel and Roberto Theri.
An opening reception “Expressions of Light” will be held at the gallery from 6:30-8 p.m., Friday, Nov. 14.
