Art is an imitation of the physical world,” said Plato. As a child, abstract art always confused me, but as I grew older, I realised it is not so different from realism. The difference lies in perspective; abstract art depicts reality through the artist’s own interpretation. We all experience the same phenomena differently and choose to remember different aspects of them. We feel emotions in our own ways, and therefore, there are endless possibilities to depict the same subject. An idea itself may not be unique, but an artist’s portrayal of it always is. Thus, originality emerges through personal interpretation, through the unique ways an artist chooses to perceive, experience, and express the world.
Harmony in Contrast
Belonging to two different countries, India and Nepal, I often struggled to fully assimilate into either identity. This feeling of existing between two cultures led to the creation of Harmony in Contrast, a series in which I layered collaged printouts with hand-painted Madhubani patterns, a traditional folk art form practiced in both countries. Through this work, I explored the tension and coexistence between dual identities, using art as a space where contrast could transform into harmony.
Medium: Mixed Media
01
Childhood Spring
Medium: Oil on Canvas, 4*3 ft
Drawing inspiration from David Hockney, Henri Matisse, and Tomoko Nagai, I created this piece as a reflection on my childhood, which I spent in a small town surrounded by greenery and mountains. It captures the warmth and comfort of a cozy home, shaped by the love and affection of my late grandfather, who lovingly spoiled me throughout my early years.
02
Medium: Oil on Canvas, 24*36 in
I've been here
A visualization of her personal space, filled with yellow grids symbolising gratitude for the people who bring warmth and meaning into her life. Yet, amidst this fullness, the empty canvas awaits for something, or perhaps someone, yet to arrive.
03
Wondering
Medium: Digital Collage
04
Can't talk, busy right now
Medium: Oil on Canvas, 24*36 in
I call these small grids “thought stacks,” representing layers of memories and emotions crowding the mind. The figure appears overwhelmed by her surroundings, emphasising a sense of emotional weight and vulnerability. Sitting alone in a quiet, personal space, she is completely engulfed by her thoughts.
I predominantly used shades of purple to convey melancholy and loneliness. Although bright colours appear throughout the composition in an attempt to counter the heaviness of purple, they ultimately fail, reinforcing the persistence of solitude and inner sorrow.
05
This painting captures the entrance to Pashupatinath Temple. I have been there several times, and in my memory the place always remains the same, lively, radiant, and bathed in the morning sunlight.
Way to Pashupati
Medium: Oil on canvas, 20*24 in
06
Summer Afternoon
Medium: Oil on Canvas, 20*24 in
Rendered in a semi-abstract style, this painting depicts the lawn of the university from which I graduated. The campus, known for its lush greenery and vibrant birdlife, forms the backdrop to an empty chair and an unfinished canvas on an easel, subtle traces of the artist’s presence and absence at once.
07
Hey yo!
Let us cross paths - reach out and we’ll work on your next project together.