Dizzy in Kolkata

Dizzy in Kolkata, acrylic and sumi ink on canvas

portrait of Dizzy Gilespie by Tania Sen

My artistic exploration focuses on sustainability's deep connection to a place’s identity. My photographic documentation focuses on grassroot businesses that often promote greener manufacturing, and preserves heritage. Some preliminary photo essays on the topic featured in the Smithsonian publication.

I started my journey at age four, misdiagnosed with diphtheria and confined to a hospital bed in Bihar, India. Even then, it was my dream to make art. After losing my father in my teens, I had to support my family. With a young brother and a stay-at-home mother, I worked writing press releases for the Indian Railways while completing my English degree at Calcutta University.

With an academic scholarship from New York Institute of Technology, I took a leap of faith and moved to NYC for graduate school. After graduation, I spent over twenty years in advertising before transitioning to teaching and art therapy in 2001. I taught Advertising Design at the College of St. Elizabeth in Morristown, NJ, and practiced art therapy with autistic children at the Morris Union Jointure Commission in Warren, NJ.

Embracing contemporary narratives, I experimented with form and media, finding mentors who helped me realize my artistic goals. Essentially self-taught, my works exhibited at the Newark Museum (NJ),
The Royal Scottish Academy, Tate (UK) Mumbai Museum (India) Contemporary Art Museum S. Korea, Torpedo Art Factory, Monmouth Museum (NJ) Haggin Museum (CA), Lalit Kala Academy h (India), Feminist Art Project, Goggleworks, Prince Street Gallery, Brooklyn Waterfront Artists Coalition, NYC etc.

As a founder member of SIPMA Contemporary, I curated interdisciplinary art exhibits and collaborated on experimental dance and performance art at places like Swarthmore College and the Soho 20 gallery in NYC. My performance art video debuted at the Venice Art Fair in 2024. For more on international exhibitions, click here.