Ritumbhra, also known as Ritu Mehra, is an Indian visual artist whose practice centres on introspection, memory and the interplay between the tangible and intangible. Her recent body of work marks a shift towards reduction and restraint, using monochrome palettes and gestural lines to explore the space between presence and absence.
In her own words, this series is “a return to what has always existed within me,” focusing on memory through the simplicity of line and purity of space. By stripping away embellishment, she allows fundamental elements to speak with unfiltered clarity. The works balance spontaneity and precision, where instinctive marks find deliberate placement. This monochromatic series embraces reduction, letting absence hold as much weight as presence, creating a meditative space that invites intimate engagement with subtlety, nuance and restraint.
Acrylic on canvas
32 X 28 inches
2025
Ritumbhra’s broader practice often incorporates everyday objects—garlic pods, spoons, leaky taps—transforming them into meditative visual experiences. In the group show “Subject-Object” at Gallery Ragini, her works used such mundane items to evoke calm and introspection, disconnecting viewers from daily stress and reconnecting them with overlooked beauty.
Her solo exhibition “Pratibimb” at Sangeet Shyamala in New Delhi further exemplified her commitment to immersive, process-driven art. The show included interactive installations and even meditation sessions, reinforcing her belief in art as a tool for self-reflection and inner stillness. This exhibition also coincided with her receiving a Junior Fellowship from the Ministry of Culture, India, recognising her contributions to visual art.
As a creator her work is deeply personal yet universally resonant. Her minimalist approach strips away distraction, allowing viewers to engage with the essence of form and emotion. By focusing on the interplay of presence and absence, she invites a contemplative experience that lingers beyond the visual.