On the Streets of Paris

(2006)

TThis is a captivating series of photographs captured during Leena’s “Artists-in-Residence” program in France in December 2005anJanuary 2006. These images reflect life on the unfamiliar yet vibrant streets of Paris. Leena’s lens portrays everyday life, unfiltered and unscripted, through windows and doors, revealing moments that resemble scenes from a movie. Her art transcends geographical boundaries and builds a window into a world of quiet observation.

view curator’s note

Cluster – 1

A series of framed photographs display various storefronts and windows, showcasing different shop interiors and street reflections
A window with white floral patterns reflects a person taking a photo, parked cars, and historic buildings
A small eatery with outdoor seating, festive garlands, and plants; a chalkboard displays the day's specials
A café window shows a handwritten menu and festive sign, reflecting the street, while a man dines inside
A weathered café door with a festive sticker and handwritten menu reveals a man seated inside, lit by warm, ambient light
A bakery with a blue door shows people chatting inside, while a child in a red coat gazes out through the glass
"Murciano Patisserie" glows at night as people browse inside; a child stands at the glass door, looking out
A child eats a pastry inside a bakery while another looks out the glass door; other customers browse in the background
A handwritten journal entry from December 23, 2009, describes observing people and children through doors and windows

Cluster – 2

A collection of framed photos arranged in a staggered pattern, showing urban scenes, storefronts, alleys, and street details
A bakery display case with baked goods, featuring "INNOCENTS SILENCE" painted in white on the glass
A narrow, arched passage with cracked walls and graffiti leads to a brighter street, where a parked motorcycle is visible
A stencil-style street art on a wall shows a shadowy figure with a briefcase, accompanied by a cat, bird, and balloon
A tailoring shop with a green facade labeled "Retoucherie" shows an elderly man working among clothing racks and garments
A storefront labeled "Kosher Pizza" with a green facade shows a man in a cap stepping out of the partially open door
An older man in a gray jacket stands outside a wooden-framed glass door, looking at a warmly lit room with another person inside
A man in a hat and dark coat enters the wooden doors of Synagogue Beit Yossef, with warm lighting inside
A handwritten journal entry from December 27, 2005, describes passing through a Jewish area, noting its unique charm

Cluster – 3

A collage of four framed photos showing restaurant scenes: diners, chefs at work, and a table with coffee and food
A restaurant interior with diners, a waiter, a wooden divider, chalkboard, and a decorated tree
Two waiters in white uniforms work in a restaurant, one setting a table and the other carrying a tray, as customers arrive
A restaurant with wooden dividers shows diners, a waiter near the counter, and a decorated Christmas tree in the corner
A restaurant table with used dishes, cups, and utensils, with two patrons in the background, one reading a menu and the other seated
A handwritten note in a spiral notebook dated "1st Jan 2006" mentions "Renoir's Paris" and states, "one just can't miss it!

Cluster – 4

Three framed photographs depict dining scenes: an outdoor café, a warm restaurant, and a chandelier-lit gathering space
A restaurant with diners seated at tables, a waitress pouring wine, and a painting of a woman with a guitar on the wall inside
A group of people seated around a table with tea and pastries in a dimly lit room with red walls and a chandelier overhead
A restaurant with diners seated at tables, a waitress pouring wine, and a painting of a woman with a guitar on the wall inside
A handwritten note dated January 3, 2006, describes a charming Paris experience, mentioning the atmosphere, waiters, and a screen

Cluster – 5

A collection of framed photos showing shop windows, antiques, and decorative items, likely from a market or vintage store
A window display with vintage dolls, stuffed animals, and holiday decorations, reflecting the street through the glass
A window display with festive greenery, showcasing a dining scene, with a reflection of surrounding buildings visible
An outdoor display at "Butte Montmartre" showcases vintage posters and artwork, with framed prints arranged neatly
A view through a window into a warmly lit antique store showcasing ornate furniture, mirrors, and vintage textiles
A display of miniature decorative shoes with intricate designs and vibrant colors, arranged on a wooden circular shelf
A handwritten journal entry dated December 28, 2001, reflecting on observing Paris through shop windows and its beauty

Cluster – 6

A collage of four framed photos showing Parisian scenes: shop windows, street life, and a dog, arranged in a decorative layout
A view through a wrought iron gate into a Parisian shop window, displaying artwork and a sign with cursive script
A view through an open window of an art gallery, showing colorful paintings and a person admiring the displayed artwork
A small black-and-white dog sits on a wooden floor, wearing a harness, with a small toy nearby
A group of people gathers outside a restaurant, some holding papers, while a large dog lies on its back on the cobblestone street
A handwritten journal entry dated January 5, 2006, describing a stroll along the Seine and observations in Paris's art district

Cluster – 7

A collage of framed photos featuring a man with a cane in different poses and a nighttime street scene with people and lights
An elderly man in a flat cap and dark coat stands near a building entrance, holding a pipe and using a cane for support
A person sits with a dog on a city sidewalk at night, while another stands nearby. String lights hang above the street
A handwritten journal entry dated December 29, 2005, describes a man resembling Captain Haddock with a pipe and stick
An elderly man in a cap and dark coat stands by a doorway, holding a pipe and walking stick, gazing off to the side
An elderly man in a cap and coat leans on a walking stick, smoking a pipe, standing near a doorway with a thoughtful expression

Cluster – 8

Three framed photographs depict urban decay: graffiti on metal, a graveyard view, and flowers on a metal gate
An ornate black metal gate with intricate patterns, featuring faded artificial flowers, some leaves and petals wilting
A handwritten journal entry dated December 29, 2005, describes seeing a character resembling Captain Haddock at a gate
A blue metal bridge with graffiti and a sticker overlooks a cemetery, with tombstones and greenery below
A blue metal bridge with graffiti and a sticker in the foreground overlooks a cemetery, with tombstones and greenery below

Cluster – 9

A series of framed photographs shows an elderly woman with long white hair, seated in a restaurant, expressing different emotions
An elderly woman with long white hair sits in a restaurant booth, smiling at the camera, with a meal and tea in front of her
A close-up of an elderly woman with long white hair, wearing hair clips, sitting indoors with a slight smile on her face
An elderly woman with long white hair, wearing hair clips and a dark coat, sits indoors with a slight smile and a gentle expression
A handwritten journal entry dated December 26, 2005, describes adjusting to the cold and observing an elderly woman in a café
An elderly woman with long, wavy blonde hair sits in a café, wearing hair clips and a dark coat, smiling as she looks to the side
An elderly woman with wavy blonde hair sits indoors, wearing hair clips and a dark coat, smiling as she looks to the side
A black-and-white digitally edited portrait of an elderly woman with wavy white hair, wearing hair clips, and smiling slightly

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Leena Kejriwal’s galleries are powerful visual narratives that illuminate the harsh realities of our world while inspiring change through art.