“The Sabyasachi Art Foundation is an homage to my mother. My mother was a wonderfully talented and creative artist, who gave up what could have been a career as an artist to become a teacher, and take care of her children and the home. I felt a lot of guilt when I began to realise that my mother, this indomitably strong and courageous woman, who helped shape my own creativity had to sacrifice her talent because of our lack of privilege and financial constraints. And so, The Sabyasachi Art Foundation was born.”  

The Sabyasachi Art Foundation was founded in 2014 and is committed to making art and culture economically sustainable through creative mentorship, upskilling and active commissions. Helmed and overseen by Sabyasachi Mukherjee, the foundation offers underprivileged fine artists from Bengal a safe space, where they are given all the tools required for them to hone and shape their practice—a studio, a secure income, a mentorship programme, and constant cultural exchange and dialogue.  

Fine art is under threat in India as there’s limited financial stability or prospects that artists, especially those who are from economically deprived communities are aware of or have access to. The Sabyasachi Art Foundation aims to challenge the status quo by providing employment, security and capacity building opportunities. The foundation is a for-profit initiative, that works as an artists’ collective on both independent and commissioned projects for the brand.  

From restoring vintage art to creating modern renditions of Company Paintings, Qajars and Mughal Miniatures and creating original art works—their work can be seen across all Sabyasachi stores. Their art has also been platformed across Sabyasachi’s headlining global collaborations including Starbucks, H&M, Christian Louboutin, Pottery Barn, Asian Paints, Taj London and The Animal Ball by The Elephant Family. Their clay moulds of the flora and fauna from the Sundarbans are used as models for gold casting for Sabyasachi High Jewellery collections. And their hand painted artwork that are original interpretations from historic botanicals and portraiture, have gone on to become hallmark prints used across Sabyasachi clothing and accessories.