Nilima Sheikh (b. 1945)
Nilima Sheikh is a pioneering Indian visual artist whose practice spans painting, scrolls, installations, set design, and illustration. Her art, deeply influenced by miniature painting traditions and Asian visual cultures, explores themes of displacement, femininity, memory, and historical continuity. Trained in Baroda, she later embraced traditional forms like Pichhwai and Thangka painting. Sheikh’s work draws from literary sources and extensive cultural research, often reflecting political and personal narratives. She has exhibited globally, including documenta 14 (2017) and a solo at The Art Institute of Chicago (2014). Her thoughtful, layered imagery invites reflection on history, identity, and the possibilities of alternative storytelling.
The artist lives and works in Baroda, India.
