Back Bay in Bombay from the 'India, Mother' suite of 7 aquatints 1970

Patrick Procktor made this aquatint titled 'Back Bay in Bombay' as part of his 'India, Mother' suite. Procktor, a British artist, was openly gay at a time when homosexuality was still criminalized in the UK. His identity as a gay man often intersected with his artistic vision, particularly in his portrayals of male figures. In 'Back Bay in Bombay', Procktor’s choice of the aquatint medium lends a dreamlike quality, bathing the scene in a serene blue hue. The depiction of Bombay—now Mumbai—might reflect the artist's perspective as an outsider navigating a culture vastly different from his own. The aquatint captures a sense of longing or distance. Procktor’s work invites us to reflect on themes of identity, cultural exchange, and the emotional landscapes of travel and discovery. What does it mean to find oneself in a place that feels both familiar and foreign?