Manav Nitin Timbalia
Manav Nitin Timbalia is a Mumbai-based contemporary artist working across textile, stitching, and painting. His practice explores memory, identity, family, the body, and everyday experiences through the transformation of ordinary materials into artworks.
His artistic language is strongly influenced by his experience of growing up around his father’s tailoring practice. Cloth, thread, stitching, layering, and handwork have therefore become important elements of his practice. He uses these materials to connect personal memories with wider social and emotional experiences.
Timbalia’s recent practice focuses on themes of care, gender, the body, and social silence. His ongoing Periods series explores menstruation through textile-based processes and discarded sanitary materials, transforming an everyday and often hidden object into a space for reflection and dialogue.
He completed his Diploma in Drawing & Painting from Thane School of Art in 2024. His work has been presented in solo and group exhibitions including Jehangir Art Gallery, Maharashtra State Art Exhibition, Pradarshak Art Gallery, Abhivyakti, Bombay Art Society, Kismet Art Gallery, and Nitya Art Centre, among others.
Artist Profile:
My practice explores memory, vulnerability, identity, and emotional resilience through
stitching, textiles, figurative painting, and material-based processes. Stitching
functions as both a material process and an emotional language, allowing me to
investigate personal narratives, the body, repair, and lived experience. I also
incorporate performative video to extend these investigations through time, gesture,
and repetition.
Mediums & Skills:
• Stitching on Cloth
• Figurative Painting
• Textile-based Practice
• Material Exploration
• Performance Video
• Installation
• Concept Development
Practice:
Independent Contemporary Art Practice (2022 – Present)
Exhibitions:
Solo
Pradarshak Art Gallery, Mumbai (2024)
Group
FINEXT Awards – International Exhibition of Mini Artworks (2024)
Maharashtra State Art Exhibition (2024)
Monsoon Art Exhibition, Jehangir Art Gallery, Mumbai (2024)
Monsoon Show, Nitya Artists’ Centre, Mumbai (2024)
AUM 5.0, Pradarshak Art Gallery (2025)
Lipstick Show, Pradarshak Art Gallery (2025)
Mahi Group Exhibition, Kismet Art Gallery (2025)
Reachout Art Exhibition (2025)
Abhivyakti – Edition 7 (2025)
Bombay Art Society Group Exhibition (2025)
Bajaj Auto Art Gallery Group Exhibition (2025)
Group Exhibition, Nitya Art Centre, Kala Ghoda, Mumbai (2026)
Education:
Diploma in Drawing & Painting, Thane School of Art (2024)
Graduated with Honours; First Prize in College Competitions (2023 & 2024); Two
artworks sold during academic period.
Foundation Diploma, Mudra School of Art (2020)
Additional Training:
Membership Course, Nikhil Art Academy (2025)
Participant, UN.MAKE: Gender and My Object Workshop, organised by St+art India
Foundation and reFrame Institute of Art & Expression (2026)