Russian artist Julia Usmanova’s solo exhibition, When India Became Home, curated by Neena Gulati, is a heartfelt exploration of memory, identity, and belonging. On view at the Main Gallery, Bikaner House, New Delhi, until June 23, the exhibition was inaugurated by former Chief Election Commissioner of India Dr. S. Y. Quraishi, renowned art critic and author Uma Nair, and former Union Minister Meenakshi Lekhi.
A graduate of the prestigious St. Petersburg Art Academy in Russia, Usmanova is known for her evocative figurative works that explore themes of femininity, sensuality, nature, and human connection. Her paintings blend the precision of Russian academic realism with poetic, dreamlike imagery, creating intimate narratives that resonate across cultures.
Since her first visit to India in 2017, Usmanova has returned year after year, developing a profound bond with the country. The colours, fragrances, and emotions of India—monsoon skies, turmeric and mango hues, jasmine blossoms, traditional adornments, and everyday moments—have found their way into her visual language.
Throughout the exhibition, a recurring female figure emerges as both witness and participant, symbolising nature, emotion, lived experience, and the artist’s own journey of discovery. These works reflect an evolving relationship with a land that gradually transformed from a destination into a home.
When India Became Home is ultimately a celebration of cultural connection and personal transformation, revealing how a place can become deeply woven into one’s sense of self.
