Artist Studio where art born

Art News India editor Dr Ved Prakash Bhardwaj visited Smita Jain’s studio with Quartz Group artists.

Smita Jain, Sanju Das, Shikha Gupta and Dr Ved Prakash Bhardwaj

We often come to know an artist through their art—primarily through the works displayed in galleries. However, an artist’s true world exists in their studio: a space where dreams are born, imagination takes flight, and inner sensibilities find form. To truly understand Smita Jain and her art, a visit to her studio became essential.

Nitasha Jaini, Smita Jain, Sanju Das, Ritu Singh, Dr Ved Prakash Bhardwaj and Ragini Sinha

I have known Smita for the past few years and have encountered her works from time to time, yet an opportunity for an in-depth conversation about her art had never quite materialised. When I received an invitation to engage with and write about the works of artists from the QUARTZ Group, it felt natural to begin by visiting their studios—seeing their works up close and engaging in direct dialogue. The first visit in this series was to Smita Jain’s studio in Gurugram. QUARTZ is a group of women artists who have a strong bond of dedication to art.

On the afternoon of April 21, 2026, sometime after 3 PM, I arrived at her studio. Fellow artist Ritu Singh was already present. Soon after, Ragini Sinha joined us, followed by Nitasha Jaini, Shikha Gupta, and Sanju Das. I have known Ragini, Nitasha, and Sanju for quite some time and have previously written about their work, but Smita Jain’s work was relatively new to me.

Amidst her paintings, a conversation began to unfold. While Smita spoke about her works, an engaging exchange of ideas developed among the artists present. The canvases seemed to gradually reveal themselves, bringing forth different phases of Smita’s artistic journey. I had the opportunity to see some of her early works as well as her most recent creations, some of which are set to be exhibited internationally. Details about the venue and dates of that exhibition are yet to be announced—until then, the anticipation itself holds its own charm.

I will soon return with a more detailed exploration of Smita Jain’s artistic journey and conceptual framework. For now, enjoy a glimpse into this visit to her studio through the accompanying images.

-By Dr Ved Prakash Bhardwaj