flower power
(see the painting in progress) I have always loved this painting. And for as long as I can remember, it has been on display in our house. In fact, I think that everyone loves this picture. It's a whole story of the pitfalls of drug abuse, captured in one painting. Each time you look at it, you notice something else. It was pretty cool to have such an elaborate and rather naughty painting in our living room. The near-naked people made it rather risqué. Definitely very prevalent in my memories of our household. (Michelle Thomas; Stella's granddaughter)
CartWheel
Of all my grandmother's paintings, this has always been my favourite. Although I may not have been the inspiration for this painting, I always felt that the picture was meant for me. I did a lot of gymnastics in my early years; in fact, my swiss Grandfather used to say that I spent more time on my hands than on my feet when we walked in the Swiss mountains. So, whenever I look at this painting, it reminds me of my youth and the joy that I got from cartwheeling! (Michelle Thomas; Stella's granddaughter)
Spirit of london
Covent garden
he stole a pen
In the 1950s I remember there was a Basti (Shanti Town) behind our house on Monohar Pukur road, consisting of 20-30 mud houses. I knew a lot of the people who lived there. Among them lived four grown up boys between 18-23 years old. They were a rough lot and everyone was afraid of them.
One day I saw one of these boys (Sate) tied to a lamppost and local people were slapping him. I was told that he had committed a crime. They said that he pic- pocketed someone. After a while he was released, and people started hitting him with sticks and whatever they could lay their hands on. I asked one of the guys what he has he done. His answer was ‘He stole a pen’. I was 10 or 12 years old ; I quickly ran to my Mum and told her that Sate was being beaten up because he stole a pen. (Sangram Sen Gupta; Stella's Son)
father forgive them
This painting depicted the final moments before Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated its being viewed by Indian Prime Minister Pandit Nehru. The painting was lost a few years ago and this photo is the only record we have left of the painting.
The yellow house in Au (our home town) was situated across the main road from our house in Switzerland. It belonged to the mayor of Au. It had a convenient store on the ground floor. The upstairs floors were living quarters for the mayor and his family. We loved shopping in this store because the mayor’s daughter who was responsible for the shop always had a tin of sweets on the counter from which the children could take one sweet each visit.
The painting was bought by my parents in Au. But they insisted that it go back to Stella to add on a missing detail: she had forgotten to put the name of the Mayor 'Bertram Thurnheer' over the front door.
Stella came to visit Au to attend mine and her son’s engagement party. The painting now hangs in my brother Alfred’s house in Au. (Doris Sen Gupta; Stella's daughter in law)
Appenzell 1
I remember how much trouble these appliques gave Stella. But she finally managed and did an amazing job. A Swiss person will be able to recognise that it is a costume of Appenzell. As soon as my parents saw these appliques they asked if they could buy them. On my mother’s request Stella had to give the man a pipe, and to make sure it was upside down as is customary.
Appenzell 2
Unfortunately, both these appliques (which took a lot of time to make), were destroyed in a house fire. The sketches Stella made of these appliques are hanging in a room in my cousin’s hotel near Appenzell. (Doris Sen Gupta)
Kanchenjunga
In 1997, as part of a small tour, I trecked to the basecamp of Kanchenjunga, the world's third higherst mountain. While me and the other tourists were struggling along the steep tracks with only small day packs, the porters would run past carrying upwards of 60Kg in baskets on their backs, often in nothing more than an old pair of flip flops.
Granny painted this picture for me on my return. This was her last painting. It hangs in my living room in Sydney. (Alex Sen Gupta; Stella's grandson)
Bridesmaid
When I was about 11 years old, I was lucky to have one of my dreams fulfilled; being a bridesmaid. When I got the dress, my grandmother loved the way it shone, and probably in an attempt to encourage me to pose for her, she asked if I would like to have a painting of me wearing the dress. Of course, she would pay me for the privilege, as I was never willing to sit still for too long. I remember she would make me promise to come at certain times of the day (the light had to be in the right spot), and I would have to wear the big dress. As the weeks went on, the idea of posing became less and less bearable. I remember trying to sneak past her room so she wouldn't ask me to come and sit for her. I think, in the end, she had to use a photo as my lack of enthusiasm, even with the financial bribery, wasn't enough to get me to sit still! Even so, she captured the dress beautifully, and I do believe I see a bit of a grimace on that face…. Or is it a smile..? (Michelle Thomas; Stella's granddaughter)
Mother and Child
Stella Brown was my Aunty (my mothers elder brother’s wife). I grew up in close company of her children , my Didi (Chini) and Dada (Lichu) . Along with them I too started to call her mummy . However in my mother tongue, Bengali, mother’s brothers are called Mama and their wives are referred as Mami. So it was quite appropriate for me to call her Mami.
She was present with my mum when I was born. She is the first member of the family to welcome me to the world. She always had a special affection for me.
When she heard that I was expecting my second child, the first thing she said was “Now I will make a painting of 'mother and child' “.
Thus Bhudan, my second daughter had an artistic welcome to the world. True to her word, while I was staying in London with Doris and Dada( Lichu) she made this painting. (Bishaka Sarker; Setlla's niece)