Jitish Kallat, known for his work in a wide range of materials, creates installations, paintings, and sculptures inspired by the people and paradoxes of his native Mumbai. His monumental sculptures, such as Eruda and Annexe (2006), mythologize India’s urban poor, portraying them as both marginalized and remarkably resilient. Drawing on diverse influences, including Pop art, Dada, Persian miniatures, and billboards, Kallat’s work merges these elements into a distinctive handmade aesthetic. In his painting series “Dawn Chorus” (2007), he depicts street children with their hair transformed into intricate black-and-white cityscapes, bustling with people and vehicles.

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