Essay

My art is a visual expression of the world around me and the world within me. Life is always changing its course, and I have had my share of its ebbs and flows. Cancer, loss of a child and a life partner, surgeries, isolation during the pandemic are some of the challenges I have faced. In such adverse situations, I have turned to Art and Nature to immerse myself in a feeling of energized focus, to meditate, and to heal.

I am inspired by artists like Frida Kahlo and Chuck Close who, in spite of their physical limitations, channeled their feelings of hopelessness into their art. In fact, they produced their best work after encountering serious illnesses. I have also been influenced by Van Gogh, Georgia O’Keefe, and Monet whose art reflects constant dialogue with the environment.

Nature is my sanctuary and my biggest source of inspiration and learning.

I am drawn to mysterious, haunting places that arouse my curiosity, urging me to explore.

My response to the colors in Nature informs my palette.

I am awestruck by Aurora borealis, Nature’s most spectacular light show. The incredible display and movement of colors are both mystical and mesmerizing. The sudden burst of energy evokes a childlike wonder and I marvel at the richness of its universe. 

The perfect symmetry of the peacock’s tail, its rhythmic pattern, the iridescent colors, and the glorious plumage elicit a sense of joy and exaltation, and my art reflects these emotions.

 My art is an interwoven tapestry of my thoughts and painting process.

Informed by my observations and reflections, my layered work reflects the analogous relationship between nature and the changing course of life, growth, and evolution.

I have learned many life lessons by simply communicating with nature and, in the process, have discovered parts of myself. I observe the interdependence and the harmonious relationship between nature’s elements, the resilience of the banyan tree, the survival of the lotus blooms, and the steadfastness of the mountainous terrain.

Despite the many natural disasters that the banyan tree encounters, it remains resolute, sending stilt-like roots towards the soil, supporting tremendous growth, and emerging stronger than ever.

Lotus flowers go through excruciating journeys. They grow in murky, sludgy, waters, with snarled roots. By mustering up their inner strength, they forge their way through the darkness, emerging with grace and beauty.

Often, I sketch outdoors or take photographs of a scene that arrests me. I paint in my studio, with soft music in the background. The studio space is my oasis where I am totally in my zone, oblivious of time and the crazy happenings of the world.

I paint primarily in fluid acrylics, which enable my vibrant palette and lend themselves to complex and tactile textures. Dynamic lines also dominate my work. With color and rhythm as my primary tools, my layered paintings carry hidden meanings, added levels of information, or mystical symbolism. One must look beyond the surface to connect with a fragment that resonates at an emotional level.

 I wish for my art to evoke a visceral reaction in the viewers.

I hope they appreciate the aesthetics, that their curiosity is aroused and that they are led to share my experience of being uplifted and inspired. I hope they decipher what I am trying to convey, reflect on it and respond with their own interpretations.
www.nimitrehan.com