Manuja Waldia’s paintings aren’t just a feast for the eyes — they are windows into worlds where the everyday becomes extraordinary, and where joy is resistance. In her Goa studio, the air hums. Here, Waldia turns life’s simplest moments — sharing tea, peeling an orange, or chatting with friends — into vibrant meditations on sisterhood, selfhood, and the importance of safe spaces. Waldia’s relationship with art has always been about finding beauty in the mundane. Her childhood was steeped in the colors and textures of India — its rich art history, pop culture, and vibrant cinema, crediting her maximalist approach to these early influences.

Waldia’s paintings tell stories, but they are quiet stories, often domestic, yet never small. Her work is populated with women who are depicted in moments of rest, joy, and camaraderie. They are not passive subjects; they are active, even in their leisure, holding space for each other and for themselves. In Troublemakers, a group of women gather around a table, sharing tea and conversation. The scene feels intimate, yet charged with a sense of communal power. This theme runs through much of her work — women creating safe spaces for themselves, unburdened by the male gaze, unencumbered by expectations.

One of the striking aspects of Waldia’s work is its deeply personal nature. Many of her characters are drawn from real life, inspired by the women around her, by family members, and by figures from Indian pop culture. These are not anonymous subjects, they are rooted in her own lived experiences. And while her compositions feel effortless, each one is layered with narrative, with history, with memory.

Waldia’s focus on sisterhood and community is further emphasized by the way she composes her figures and spaces. Her characters often exist in close proximity, physically and emotionally connected. This deliberate arrangement highlights the importance of female bonds and the strength found in mutual support. Many of her paintings feel like an invitation into a private world, where women are free from external judgment and can simply be. Whether it’s the chaotic joy of a group of friends sharing a meal or the quiet introspection of a solitary woman, Waldia’s compositions are layered with subtle narratives. Her work is not just about the women she paints but the spaces they inhabit — safe, loving environments where they are celebrated for who they are. Through her art, Waldia creates an alternate reality, one where brown women, in particular, are the center of their own stories, holding power in spaces that are often denied to them in the larger world.

Manuja Waldia’s art stands out for its fearless use of color and a visual language that feels simultaneously nostalgic and modern. Her works are a celebration, but not in a muted or subdued way: they are vibrant, bursting with life, and filled with details that draw us in. The lush, saturated tones of her paintings — rich oranges, reds, and greens — create a visual abundance that mirrors the emotional depth of her subjects. 

In a world that often feels overwhelming, Manuja Waldia’s art offers a moment of pause, a space to breathe, to connect, and to find beauty in the everyday. Whether it’s a gathering of women over tea, a fruit-laden table, or a solitary figure lost in thought, her paintings remind us that the small, quiet moments of life are often the ones that hold the most power.

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