ARTIST- ADEM GENÇ

Adem Genç is a Turkish painter, art theorist, and academic whose work explores modernity, abstraction, and the intellectual freedom of artistic expression. Born in Rize–Ardeşen in 1944, he studied painting and art education at the Ankara-Gazi Institute of Education before continuing his advanced studies in England. He completed postgraduate training at Saint Martin’s School of Art, where he was exposed to influential artists, critics, and avant-garde ideas that shaped his artistic vision.

Genç believes art is a process of mental emancipation guided by intuition, cultural perception, and philosophical inquiry. His paintings reflect a deep engagement with abstraction, cosmic and geometric forms, and later amorphous structures that explore reality, perception, and meaning. Since the late 1980s, his work has evolved toward poetic and conceptual imagery, addressing themes such as existence, law, belief, and symbolism.

Alongside his artistic practice, Genç has held key academic positions at Ege University and Dokuz Eylül University, later becoming a Professor of Art. He has also been a Fulbright Post-Doctoral Scholar in the United States. His works are included in major international collections, and he has received numerous prestigious awards. In addition, he is the author of influential writings on art theory and visual perception.

ARTIST- J J Podetti

I have always been drawn to painting and deeply fascinated by the act of creating art. After a long and fulfilling career in a leading American company, I made the decisive choice, about ten years ago, to dedicate myself fully to painting as a professional artist. The enthusiastic reactions of visitors during my first exhibitions encouraged me and affirmed that this was the right path.

Today, I actively participate in numerous artistic events across France and hold a dedicated annual exhibition in Barbizon, the renowned village of painters. While I occasionally work on canvas—particularly for portraits—my preferred medium is wood, especially paneling. This approach allows me to create a support perfectly adapted to the vision and scale of each artwork.

My primary subjects are urban landscapes and everyday moments of city life, which I capture during long, reflective walks through urban environments, often guided by my camera. I also enjoy creating portraits, always striving to reveal the inner personality of the subject. I describe my style as modern figurative, marked by a playful exploration of color, brushwork, and harmony. With at least one painting always in progress, I am proud to be an established artist and grateful to be part of the vibrant artistic community.

Padma Shri Dulari Devi

Dulari Devi (born 1968) is a distinguished Madhubani artist from the Mithila region of Bihar, India. In recognition of her exceptional contribution to Indian folk art, she was awarded the Padma Shri—one of India’s highest civilian honours—in 2021.

Ms. Devi was born in Ranti village, Madhubani district, into the marginalised Mallah (Dalit) community. Her early life was marked by significant personal hardship, including early marriage and the loss of her child, after which she returned to live with her family. With no formal education, her artistic journey began while working as a domestic helper in the household of renowned Madhubani artist Mahasundari Devi. Under her guidance—and later through mentorship from Karpoori Devi—Ms. Dulari Devi mastered the techniques and visual language of Madhubani painting.

Her work belongs to the Mithila (Madhubani) folk art tradition of Bihar. She practices both Kachni (line-based) and Bharni (colour-filled) styles, with a strong preference for Bharni. Her art has received national and international recognition, including a nomination for the Bihar State Award for Excellence in Art in 2012. In 2018, her painting depicting Narendra Modi’s visit to a village was exhibited at the Asian Art Museum, USA. More recently, her COVID-19–themed works documenting community life during lockdown were acquired by Princeton University’s Graphic Arts collection.

In addition to painting, Ms. Devi has created murals for both central and state government projects and currently serves as an instructor at the Madhubani Art Institute in Bihar, where she teaches Madhubani painting to children.

Our PaintzStories team were honoured to meet Ms. Dulari Devi and her family in March 2023 and are delighted to share her work—and that of her family members—on our platform.

Ms. Seema Nishant

Seema Nishant is a gifted Madhubani artist from the culturally vibrant Madhubani district of Bihar, a region globally known for its rich folk art heritage. Deeply rooted in tradition, her artistic practice reflects a strong command over both the Kachni style—characterised by fine, intricate line work—and the Bharni style, admired for its expressive use of bold and vibrant colours. Seema skillfully brings these styles to life across diverse surfaces, including paper, sarees, dupattas, and a range of handcrafted products, seamlessly blending art with everyday objects. Her journey into Madhubani painting began not through formal training, but through a powerful self-driven passion for art, which continues to inspire her creative growth. This intrinsic motivation is evident in the authenticity and emotional depth of her work. Through every piece she creates, Seema Nishant remains dedicated to preserving, celebrating, and carrying forward the timeless legacy of Madhubani art for future generations.