APB111 : Ochre and Silver

Apu Debnath Banya

Created in a modern Indian figurative style inspired by Bengal folk art traditions, this painting depicts a woman holding a small silver fish to her cheek while supporting a woven basket filled with fresh catch. Draped in a mustard-yellow saree with olive accents and delicate pattern details, her warm, ochre-toned figure is set against a dark earth-toned background, accompanied by a stylized fish floating in the upper backdrop. The artwork features smooth, voluptuous contours and intricate accents, including pink-tipped fingers with alta details, traditional beaded jewelry, a nose ring, and a flower tucked behind her ear. Resting atop the basket, a purple lotus bud adds a soft touch of elegance, capturing themes of rural abundance, daily life, and gentle connection with nature.