Nirali
Mehta
While Buffering
Some time ago I etched the silhouette of a woman ideating in the company of the scenes outside her window. This singular moment has, over time, evolved into a diaspora capturing the continuing buffering realities of life through art and illustration.
Art allows me to explore myriad expressions, observations, and feelings with a bit of whimsy. It helps me connect the inside to the outside, through my unruly thoughts and experiences.
I had a wonderful opportunity to illustrate a poignant poem penned by Tishani Doshi inspired by the famous image of the Tigress hugging a Manchurian Fir, for Platform magazine.
With the reckless felling of trees that render their forests void of luminous beauty and now a virus outlawing even a human embrace, Chipko (hug), to me expresses an alternative and much befitting narrative.
As a part of an International team of artists, my artwork 'Veil of Verdue' was selected through an open call in a beautifully curated one-of-a-kind virtual show in Amsterdam, organized by The Holy Art Gallery. This distinctive platform/community of renowned galleries worldwide celebrates diverse and contemporary art, spotlighting both emerging and established artists from around the world. The pop-up art show was designed to provide a unique space for artistic dialogues.
Veil of Verdure
This water colour illustration portrays a woman softly cradled on an autumn-kissed surface, her form embraced by a delicate blanket of the greens. The gentle foliage speaks of protection and a deep connection with the Earth, intertwining her presence with the rhythms of nature. The layering of leaves creates a sense of mystery, serene, dreamlike scene that reflects the timeless harmony between the human spirit and the natural world. Through this piece, I aim to evoke the timeless harmony between the two, where the veil of nature offers both shelter and unity
Linocuts have a stylized graphic quality that uses organic lines and bold design elements. I have been exploring this medium recently. Personally, I love colours. But I love to work with the restricted tonal palette that Lino offers. The geological detailing, lines, and pathways make up for a very textural piece in spite of being 2-dimensional.
(A linocut is a relief print produced in a manner similar to a woodcut but that uses linoleum as the surface from which the design is cut and printed.)
