About the Artist
Sheli Gupta, a visual artist based in Delhi, explores the hidden sexual desires of women and the societal restrictions around them. Her work focuses on women desires, bringing attention to the emotions, vulnerabilities, and strengths that are often silenced. Through her bold and expressive practice, Sheli challenges cultural norms that treat women as objects and creates space for openness, respect, and acknowledgment of human nature.
Art Practice
Sheli works primarily in mixed media art, experimenting with materials such as cloth, paper, thread, and wire. Thread is central to her practice and reflects the qualities she sees in womenโstrong yet delicate, resilient yet vulnerable. By weaving, stitching, and layering, she expresses the complexity and depth of female desire in ways that are tactile, intimate, and visually striking.
Her work often engages with nude art, exploring the human form as a site of expression and empowerment rather than objectification. Through her compositions, she captures the beauty of folded and unfolded desires, offering a narrative that encourages understanding and empathy.
Artistic Vision
At its core, her art is about giving voice to what society tries to silence. She wants to challenge perceptions and invite viewers to see women as individuals with desires, dignity, and freedom. Her mixed media artย opens a dialogue on the nuances of intimacy, self-expression, and the emotional landscape of women, making her work both provocative and deeply human.
Through her practice, Sheli creates art that is an invitation to reflect, confront discomfort, and embrace the truth of female desire with openness, empathy, and respect.
Exhibition History
Solo Exhibitions
2026
โDesire without Apologyโ, Virtual Exhibition, Artlune
2020
Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra, Exhibition Hall
2019
โKaaliโ, Nehru Centre Art Gallery, Worli, Mumbai
โIn Search of Selfโ All india fine arts and craft society (AIFACS), Delhi
Group Exhibition
2024
โAnonymous Drawings & Lines Fictionโ, Berlin, Germany
2023
โIdentities and Representationโ, Artlune, RPR Gallery, Lado Sarai, New Delhi
โRetrospect: Decommissioned Worksโ, Lodger Gallery (Online Exhibition)
2021
โLockdown Unlockedโ, Firstsite, Virtual Exhibition
โEachโ, Khajuraho International Online Art Exhibition
โDispose to Reuseโ, Online Art Exhibition
2020
OAP International Multidisciplinary Online Art Exhibition
โ102nd All India Annual Art Exhibitionโ, Jehangir Art Gallery, The Art Society of India, Mumbai
2018
Museum and Art Gallery, Chandigarh
American Center, New Delhi
First International Kala Mela, Lalit Kala Akademi & IGNCA
2017
โAll India Women Contemporary Art Exhibitionโ, Artscapes, Chandigarh
โExhibition Titleโ, Bindass Artist Group International Online Exhibition, Chitrankan
โFinext Award Group Exhibitionโ, Gallery Name, Bhopal
India Habitat Centre, New Delhi
Awards and Recognitions
First Prize, Rostrum Speech Competition, Kurukshetra University (2019)
Selected Artist, CAF Contest (Camel Art Foundation) (2018)
Selected Artist, ABIR Contest & Exhibition (2018)
Art Maestro Award, World Art Moment, Kerala (2017)
Selected Artist, Dhoomimal Art Gallery Group Exhibition (2017)
Residencies
EIA Residency & Exhibition (2019)
Meet the Artist in Desire without Apology Exhibition
