“Home & Abroad” A Painting and a Thought An Exhibition of recent works by London based renowned artist Dr. Mohan Luthra
Mumbai’s Jehangir Art Gallery is set to host Home & Abroad – A Painting and a Thought, the latest exhibition by Dr. Mohan Luthra, a London-based artist whose work spans painting, sculpture, and socially reflective art. Running from February 17–23, 2025, the exhibition explores the connection between place, memory, and artistic expression.
For decades, Dr. Luthra lived and worked in London’s civil sector, balancing his passion for art with public service. In recent years, he has spent winters in Goa and Vadodara, sharing a studio and immersing himself in both painting and sculpture. His artistic approach is deeply influenced by his background in governance and cultural inquiry, blending aesthetics with reflections on history, environment, and identity.
What sets Home & Abroad apart is its fusion of art and poetry. Each painting is accompanied by a poetic verse or narrative, penned by the artist himself. These lyrical reflections enhance the depth of the artwork, offering a multisensory experience that merges the visual with the literary. His verses are not just descriptions but meditations on time, change, and human connection.
The collection spans a range of ‘scapes’—landscapes, cityscapes, and even waste scapes. His works depict iconic locations such as the Taj Mahal, St. Paul’s Cathedral, the canals of Venice, and Richmond Bridge, but beyond their beauty, they tell layered stories. The Taj Mahal, for instance, symbolizes eternal love, yet its painting also alludes to environmental decay and pollution. His depiction of Venice highlights both its romantic charm and its slow submersion due to climate change. Each piece encourages viewers to look beyond the surface and engage with the evolving human imprint on these places.
Unlike many artists who adhere to a fixed aesthetic, Dr. Luthra embraces fluidity, believing that an artist should let form follow theme rather than be confined to a singular style. His mixed-media practice blends acrylics and watercolors, merging the soft luminosity of English watercolor traditions with the bold expressiveness of Indian artistic heritage.
His previous exhibitions in major Indian fine art galleries have received critical acclaim. Seema Bawa of AIFACS, Delhi, praised his ability to capture both local and global issues with depth and clarity. Padma Shri awardee Prof. Biman B. Das, Chairperson of AIFACS, described his work as “simple, elegant, and deeply thoughtful.” Senior artist Sidharth called his art “refreshing contemporary thinking with a passion for social commentary.”
More than a collection of paintings, Home & Abroad is a journey across time and geography, a conversation between brushstrokes and words, between past and present. It invites viewers to reflect, remember, and reimagine. Through this exhibition, Dr. Luthra once again proves that art is not just about capturing beauty but about storytelling, contemplation, and change.