Artwork
Woman pierced by Moons
Woman pierced by Moons is a paint painting by the Neo Expressionist artist Ranbir Singh Kaleka. It dates from 1985 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
Woman Pierced by Moons is a painted work by Ranbir Singh Kaleka, an artist born in Punjab in 1953. The piece presents a solitary female figure suspended in a dim interior, her body intersected by three luminous, moon‑shaped forms. The composition balances a calm facial expression with an unsettling, dreamlike atmosphere.
Subject & Meaning
The central figure appears tranquil while three glowing moons penetrate her torso, suggesting a fusion of the corporeal and the celestial. Kaleka frequently pairs ordinary subjects with fantastical elements, inviting viewers to contemplate the tension between everyday reality and the subconscious realm.
Technique & Style
Rendered with a muted palette, the painting juxtaposes soft illumination against pronounced shadows, creating depth within the confined space. The moons emit a faint glow yet do not illuminate the surrounding room, reinforcing their integration into the figure rather than serving as external light sources.
History & Provenance
Kaleka earned a diploma from Punjab University, Chandigarh in 1975, taught there until 1977, and later held a teaching position at the Royal College of Art in London (1985‑87). After residing in London through the 1990s, he returned to India, where his practice expanded to include video art. The painting is part of the Victoria and Albert Museum’s collection.
Artist & collection
Artist
Ranbir Singh Kaleka’s paintings blend the everyday with the quietly strange, rooted in a visual language that feels both personal and timeless.
