Collection: Mithu Sen

Mithu Sen is a conceptual artist who performs her work in a variety of media to explore and subvert hierarchical codes and rules, with particular reference to the ‘myths’ of sexuality, language, market, and marginalisation. Through various devices and interventions, methodologies of play, vulnerability and intuition she challenges the standards of social exchange, undermining the codes we come to rely on.

Her practice produces languages that comes under scrutiny as linguistic structures and hegemonies are abstracted as ‘non- language’, the use of which produces what Sen calls ‘lingual anarchy’ –a praxis that employs glitch, noise and sonic affect in its spontaneous creation.) that subvert social norms, including those around art production, exhibition, and reception. Sen uproots how we display and value art by constructing interactive scenarios, objects for exchange, and propositions to ‘create and consume value’, reconceiving how art is shared and circulated. 

Sen completed her BFA (1995) and MFA (1997) from Kala Bhavan, Visva Bharati, Santiniketan, India, and a PG Programme (visiting) from the Glasgow School of Art 2000-2001, UK. She has exhibited and performed widely at museums, institutions, galleries, and biennales/triennials including: 9th Asia Pacific Triennale, Australia 2018; Sonsbeek20→24 force times distance 2020-2024, Paul Mellon Center, Yale university 2021, SAAI, UC BERKELEY Virtual Artist in Residency; Tenshin Memorial Museum of Art, Japan, 2016; Guggenheim Museum, New York, 2016; Unlimited, Art Basel, 2016; Eli and Edythe Broad Art Museum, Michigan USA, 2014, Queens Museum, New York, 2015; TATE Modern Project Space, London 2013, MOMAT (National Museum of Modern Art), Tokyo 2008.

Currently based in New Delhi, India.