NEW BODY OF WORK, MUMBAI 2025

Holding On – a new painting series by Babbu the Painter – captures the raw, unfiltered energy of Mumbai’s streets while delving into the weight of what we carry. Inspired by the city’s relentless motion and intimate stillness, each piece explores the emotional and physical burdens we hold onto. Memories, desires, fears, and the unseen baggage that shapes us.

Each painting in this collection was inspired by real people Babbu encountered on the streets of Mumbai—an old man clutching a bucket of sunflowers, a balloon seller weaving through traffic, and a rickshaw driver gripping the handles of his vehicle as he waits for his next passenger. These everyday moments, often overlooked, became the foundation for a series that reflects both the literal and symbolic weight we carry.

This collection, consisting of three pieces (acrylic on handmade paper, 30" x 22"), is a collaboration with Siddhesh Shridhar Jadhav is a Mumbai-born and based Fine Artist, Tattoo Artist, and Illustrator whose work seamlessly blends classical art with contemporary pop culture. Deeply influenced by manga, philosophy, and the rich traditions of classical art, he creates visually compelling narratives that bridge the past and present. Together, Babbu and Sid merge their distinct styles to create a series that is both deeply personal and universally resonant.

For Babbu, living in Mumbai has been an electrifying and transformative experience, inspiring her in ways that feel deeply healing to her inner child. The city's chaotic beauty, endless stories, and unfiltered emotions have reignited a sense of playfulness and vulnerability in her work. True to her signature approach, Holding On transforms these meaningful conversations into striking, playful compositions that turn introspection into something magnetic.

In a city where everything changes in an instant, what do we choose to hold onto?

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