In the late ’50s, Paul Koli stumbled upon his love for printmaking in what was then old Bombay — a passion that has now brewed quietly for over seven decades. Over these years, while nurturing aspiring artists at Sir JJ School of Art, and crafting distinct prints during stolen moments, the artist and his works have largely remained hidden from the public eye. Now, over two decades after the artist’s works were last exhibited publicly, an art gallery is preparing to unveil some of his earliest works this weekend.

Gourmoni Das, curator, Nine Fish Art Gallery, that is hosting the exhibition, sheds light on Koli’s role in the establishment of printmaking as a practice in the city. Having worked with YK Shukla, founder of the printmaking studio at Sir JJ School of Art, Koli soon took charge of the studio in 1972, where he continued to serve as an educator and organiser until 1990. Today, contemporary artists like Jitish Kallat, Anant Nikam, and Ravi Mandlik, among many others, who have put Indian contemporary art on the map, fondly remember him as ‘Paul Sir’.