At the stunning FPH Gallery in Mumbai’s Nariman Point, a new solo art exhibition by seasoned artist Anil Borate offers viewers a peaceful escape into the natural world. Through a stunning collection of paintings, Borate captures the quiet elegance and understated beauty of nature, a theme he has explored passionately throughout his long and impactful career.
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A visual dialogue with nature
According to Borate, the exhibition features 57 breathtaking paintings created between 2018 and 2025, with a significant portion of the work completed in the post-Covid era. Viewers will find themselves immersed in vivid scenes of sunflowers in bloom, sweeping seascapes, glowing sunsets, early sunrises, and various other moments where nature’s calm meets colour.
Borate’s artworks serve as more than just visual treats; they’re an invitation to pause, observe, and reconnect with the world around us.
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"I get inspired by daily life, especially nature — trees, plants, the sun, animals, and everyday natural scenes," Borate shares. "I believe people should watch nature more often. My paintings aim to reflect that. I want to bring the beauty of nature onto canvas."
To achieve his desired textures and tones, Borate uses a range of mediums, including transparent watercolours, poster colours, acrylic paints, oil pastels, and more, each adding a distinct element to his landscapes and floral studies.
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A lifelong devotion to art
Anil Borate's passion for art began in childhood and has only grown stronger over the years. With more than 35 years of experience in art education and cultural enrichment, he has not only created a legacy through his own work but also mentored upcoming artists and judged several national and international competitions.
His long list of achievements includes first prize in the 1993 Poster Competition organised by BEST and WASPA and another first prize in the Municipal Category by the Family Planning Association of India in 1993. Additionally, in 1992, he won second prize at BMC's Children’s Painting Competition.
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Borate has also played a pivotal role in promoting art at institutional levels, from assisting with exhibitions at iconic venues like Jehangir Art Gallery, Taj Art Gallery, and Dinanath Art Gallery to contributing to public initiatives like the Cleanliness Drive and Noise Pollution Campaigns led by BMC.
One of his most memorable moments came in 1988 when he created a colossal 18x10 ft Rangoli for August Kranti Din, an artwork that drew the attention and praise of then-Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi.
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More than just an artist
Beyond his canvas, Borate is known for his work in puppet making, training sessions at the Cultural Resources and Training Centre in New Delhi, and his active involvement in programmes by Kala Akademi, including seminars, symposiums, and school-level art outreach.
Through this solo exhibition, Borate not only offers a glimpse into his own artistic evolution but also urges viewers to embrace the simple, meditative beauty of the natural world.
Exhibition details
Venue: FPH Gallery, Free Press House, Nariman Point, Mumbai
Date: May 1, 2025, to May 15, 2025
