My East Indian roots and heritage permeate my work. I believe that the meditative act involved in the making the artworks, is in my blood and I am dipping into that source. Having grown up in India’s traditional caste-based society, I belong to the weaver’s community. The act of scratching the surface repeatedly, involves a mind and body connection, as in weaving, stitching or patterning. Like weaving this work/process to me is akin to meditation. In the artwork “Rainbow Series III” I painted bands of color representing looms of thread and I weaved it all together with my circular patterning.
This artwork addresses community values and human relationships with nature. It speaks with both the mind and heart. “Sea of Blue” focuses awareness on nature. My microscopic view, it represents ice’s molecular breakdown into water. Conceptually, the cellular patterning in my painting is about looking closely into something. Here it raises the issue of glacier melts and the effects on global warming.
This painting also connects me with my Hindu upbringing and heritage. Its field of circles is made by my repeatedly scratching the wet painted surface. The physicality of the repetitive circling process transports me into a calming meditative state. It is as though I am immersing myself into water as in ritual bathing, a cross-cultural purification rite. My intention is for this large blue painting to similarly draw the viewer into it.”
This painting also connects me with my Hindu upbringing and heritage. Its field of circles is made by my repeatedly scratching the wet painted surface. The physicality of the repetitive circling process transports me into a calming meditative state. It is as though I am immersing myself into water as in ritual bathing, a cross-cultural purification rite. My intention is for this large blue painting to similarly draw the viewer into it.”