Laila Khan Furniturewalla

Laila Khan Furniturewalla’s bold works focus on female faces and bodies, in a unique and characteristic manner. Using a broad range of materials — oil paint, acrylics, charcoal, and gold leaf, among others — the artist explores "the mysteries of female beauty," with strong, geometric forms softening the overall effect and providing an otherworldly feel. In each painting, Furniturewalla says, "I celebrate the life I love and the beauty I know. My work is based on the female predicament." She calls her images "mirrors of internal struggles, self-doubts, dilemmas with one's own personality and the final conflict between being an artist and a woman." Furniturewalla never titles her works, avoiding interference with the viewer’s personal, subjective response. As she says, "the picture itself speaks a thousand words, so why should one need titles."

Laila Khan Furniturewalla, who lives and works in Mumbai, cites as influences the graphic purity of Islamic calligraphy and "the powerful images of Hindu gods and goddesses, in particular Ganesh, provider of prosperity, remover of obstacles, and Lord of beginnings." These provide a spiritual undercurrent to her harmonious but provocative creations.