RINI DHUMAL

Rini Dhumal (1948–2021) was a distinguished artist whose career was deeply rooted in printmaking, yet her work transcended mediums to include painting, woodcuts, and oil paintings. Born in Rongpur, Bangladesh, she studied at M.S. University, Vadodara, and later taught there, contributing significantly to the art education community. Her formative years were influenced by mentors like KG Subramanyan and Krishna Reddy, and she further honed her craft at the renowned Atelier 17 in Paris, where she learned the techniques of viscosity printing under Stanley William Hayter. These experiences shaped her distinctive approach to printmaking, which combined a mastery of colour, contour, and layered imagery.

Dhumal’s work often explored the strength and resilience of women, particularly through her celebrated "Devi" paintings, where she portrayed goddesses as powerful, matriarchal figures that reflect both compassion and confidence. This theme was consistent across her prints, which fused elements of mythology with modern sensibilities. Her prints, whether linocuts, etchings, or woodcuts, are known for their rich colour treatment and dense, refined imagery that express the complexity of human relationships and the dynamic interplay of power and vulnerability.

Throughout her career, Dhumal was dedicated to expanding the boundaries of printmaking, a medium she believed was often underestimated in India. She was passionate about making prints accessible and as relevant as paintings, seeing the serial nature of prints as a way to track the evolution of an artist’s ideas. Her exploration of different printmaking techniques, from linocuts to viscosity printing, allowed her to create works that were both visually striking and conceptually rich. Her work was often characterized by lithe lines, vivid colours, and the symbolism inherent in her subjects.

As an international artist, Dhumal exhibited her work in India and abroad, and her notable solo shows included Shakti, Tales of the Prophetess, and Wounds. She was celebrated for her ability to blend aesthetics with powerful messages, with her prints and paintings evoking a sense of spiritual and emotional depth. Her contributions to the art world, particularly in printmaking, left a lasting impact, and she continues to be remembered for her unique artistic vision and dedication to exploring the complexities of human experience through her work.