Prashant Shirsath never imagined art would become the core of his life. Growing up in Nashik, he always felt a pull towards colours and sketches but didn’t know where it would take him. “I always liked art,” he recalls, “but never really knew how I’d pursue it.” It wasn’t until after completing his 12th standard that he discovered something that would change his life that one could actually study art. That moment was the turning point. He enrolled in an art degree, and since then, he hasn’t looked back.
The city that inspires
Now, Shirsath’s latest collection is on proud display at the FPH Gallery, and it speaks volumes, quite literally, of his admiration for Mumbai. Though he hails from Nashik, it’s Mumbai that has truly captured his heart and imagination. “There’s no place like it,” he says with a soft smile. “I look at the city with kinder eyes. Even the chaos looks heavenly to me.”
His paintings beautifully capture the soul of Mumbai, from its narrow lanes to its majestic skyline, each brushstroke carries affection. He particularly enjoys sketching and painting old British-era buildings that still stand tall in South Mumbai. “They’re not just structures,” he says, “they're living pieces of art.”
The challenge of watercolours
Shirsath’s medium of choice is watercolour, arguably one of the most difficult techniques to master. But that’s exactly why he chose it. “It challenges me. You have to get it right in one go, there’s no erasing, no going back,” he explains. And yet, each of his works seems effortlessly graceful, inviting you to pause and take a breath. His watercolours aren’t just paintings; they’re moments suspended in time, quiet, delicate, and full of emotion.
A personal favourite
Among the many pieces on display, one holds a particularly special place in Shirsath’s heart, his painting of the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel. “When you look at the Taj from a boat out in the sea, it looks magical. It’s almost unreal,” he says. That exact feeling awe, admiration, and peace, is what the painting captures. “It’s my favourite work. I feel like I fall in love with the city all over again every time I look at it.”
Witness the beauty of Mumbai through Prashant's brushstrokes at FPH Gallery at Nariman Point. This exhibition will be at display till July 31.
