2D Works
The Meek And The Mighty
Acrylic paints on laser cut wooden ply
39.7"*29.7"
This is a representation of the prevailing animal abuse in our society. Though ornamented, beautified, and revered, the cow still has to endure inhumane living conditions in dairies, and being used a beast of burden. The mighty elephant is decorated for religious occasions, yet tortured to perform for our entertainment, and used for heavy manual labour. I have been an animal lover since childhood, having dogs in the house and a family trust run cowshed (gaushala) of more than 30 cows. I have been pained to see the conditions of animals in our society, where despite stringent laws for their protection, little is done to uphold them. Used and abused for various commercial and personal activities they all share a similar fate with little or no love. They are a part of our living planet, and deserve to live in harmony with mankind.
Little Men - sKILLed innocence
Charcoal on paper
18.8"*14"
sKILLed innocence: Hailing from a Handicrafts export family, I have been fascinated by the skills of artisans, their hand processes, and the materials they work with. Unfortunately, this industry too is plagued with child labor issues. Through my art, I captured this disturbing image of a young 14-year boy working on a hand lathe grinder without protective gear in a tiny cramped room full of dust. In the disguise of ‘passing on of skill to younger generations’, he was sent off to work at a tender age and was deprived of his basic right to education. Fortunately, my grandfather has made a major impact in the industry by creating awareness and regulating such activities to provide both education, and skills training, to such artisan families. We should nurture the children’s abilities and not kill their innocence.
Time Lapse
Ink on paper
29.5"*21.6"
This is a time-lapse visualisation of my first dive in a State-level aquatic championship, where I outperformed all expectations. Here, I have captured these fond memories, in different timeframes, to serve as an inspiration for my dive into the adult world. Swimming has been one of my passions since childhood. It has always been my favorite sport and pastime. However, due to my reserved nature, I could never bring myself to participate in competitive events. Finally, two years ago, I mustered up enough courage to participate in a professional swimming competition, where I was awarded 2nd place. Despite no prior formal training, I set my targets higher, aiming for the State levels, and put in 3-4 hours every day, for 4 months. It was a strenuous but exhilarating experience, which finally paid off.
Freedom For All?
Watercolour, thread, and metal wire on paper
16.9"*21.9"
I have illustrated the plight of the helpless donkey, showing a donkey incarcerated in a pen, succumbing to captivity – depicted by the nets. Dark shades and greys have been used to show its bleak future in captivity and slavery. I want to convey that the donkey is the most abused of all domestic animals. Perhaps because it is not respected in Indian mythology, as it is not a ‘vehicle’ for any prominent Hindu deity? It is made to carry very heavy loads, beaten mercilessly, and given the minimum food required for its subsistence.
Indian Handicrafts - Book Cover
Mixed media - poster colour on paper and digital
18.9"*14"
This is the illustration for a book cover for a publication of the Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts. It showcases the skills of the artisans in the Indian Handicrafts Industry, and their dedication to their crafts. The Council wanted a young girl from a handicraft background to design the cover. I come from a handicrafts export family, and this piece has a lot of personal significance to me, as it also shows women empowerment, and the shift of women from menial jobs to more dignified ones in our society. This cover design is intended to send an appropriate message to encourage women entrepreneurs to utilise their skills.
I Surrender
Acrylic paint on reused canvas
39.7"*29.8"
Inspired by Sophie Derrick’s art technique, the donkey’s helplessness is conveyed through giving it an almost-human facial expression in very somber colors to depict sadness and surrender. The red signifies the urgent need to spread awareness - to stop this abuse; to treat animals more humanly; and regulate their living and working conditions. I hope to continue expressing these moral issues through my art.
Living Earth
Pencil sketch on paper
18.9”*14.2”
Fortunate enough to have access to skilled artisans and materials through to my family’s handicrafts business background, I visited a potter to understand the pottery process. My interests have always been focused on the use of natural and sustainable materials. Here, I have illustrated a potter giving life to the Earth (clay) in his own way. Unknowingly, but pleasantly, his creation depicts the need of the hour; natural, sustainable materials like clay, which have low carbon footprints. Clay pottery is one of the oldest forms of art, which has been a source of livelihood for millions of artisans.
The Divide
Charcoal and white pastel on brown paper
32"*22"
Men in India have always enjoyed a dominant role in our society, and have abused this privilege for centuries. They have constantly looked down on women, and subjugated them, hence the use of dark tones. The ‘fairer’ sex has been viewed as ‘objects’ to be used, disrespected, suppressed, and abused. Today, however, we have seen women rising to the upper echelons of power. This encouragement needs to trickle down into the rural segment of society, where we still are bound by culture, codes, and restrictions. This artwork is of our housemaid and her husband, who expects the world from her: to work and earn for the family; manage their children, as well as his family; to respect and obey obsolete traditions; and dress restrictively when in their village. She displays a teary but firm resolve to break free of these shackles one day.