Born 1940 in Burnpur, West Bengal sold her first painting by the time she was fifteen years old. She studied literature in Delhi before moving her full focus to art and artistic expression. Menon began her academic exploration of the field at Sir J. J. College, Mumbai, but took this up more fully during her scholarship at the Ecole des Beaux-Arts in Paris . 

She is a well known muralist, in addition to her oil paintings- oil on masonite is her favourite medium. Her work draws the diversity of her path and perspective into a dialogue of colour, shadow and texture. Much like her own ancestry, her work draws from European roots and Indian culture in its form, theme and technique. The female form, religious motifs and emotional icons are often seen in her paintings. She has also explored other mediums such as Murano glass and computer graphics during the course of her career. 

Anjolie Ela Menon is one of the most celebrated contemporary Indian artists of her time, and has won numerous accolades including the Kalidas Samman (2018) and a Padma Shri from the Government of India (2000). Her work has been exhibited across the globe with over thirty solo shows to her credit.  She lives and works in New Delhi.