In a world saturated with colour, city-based painter Suruchi Sharma has chosen the quiet power of monochrome paintings to tell the stories of nature, tribal life and their simplicity, attaining a distinct identity in the art circles of Jalandhar.
Describing her journey, Sharma noted that art is something she has inherited from her grandmother. Growing up, she would watch her grandmother create intricate mehandi patterns, rangoli designs and handcrafted dolls, unknowingly sowing the seeds of a lifelong passion. “When I was in Class III and Class IV, I would sit beside my grandmother for hours. That is where it all began. I decided that I want to pursue art and found myself deeply interested in paintings,” she recalled warmly.
That early calling led her to Apeejay College, where her artistic foundation took a more defined shape. Her mentors, Dr Surjit Kaur and Basudev Biswas both from Shantiniketan, an art-based centre established by Rabindranath Tagore, further shaped her artistic identity.
In 2002, when Sharma spent four months as a freelance artist in Sathal Vada, a tribal village far removed from city life, the quiet rhythms of daily life and the untouched natural surroundings seeped deeply into her. “The life there is full of nature and simplicity,” she says and that rawness has never truly left her canvases.
After coming back from the tribal village, Sharma organised her first solo show titled ‘In Search’ at Gymkhana Club. The exhibition, featuring all the works created during her village stay, marked a clear turning point. The monochromatic thread running through those paintings became her signature and has remained so ever since.
Her mixed media works layer pencil sketching and ink detailing, building worlds that feel simultaneously grounded and dreamlike. Human figures emerge quietly from texture and shadow, telling their stories without words.
Currently teaching at DAV Public School, Jalandhar, Sharma credits principal Rashmi Vij for fostering a culture where art is genuinely valued and regular workshops keep the creative spirit alive among students.
