JOIN USWhen expressions matter most
As you walk past painting after painting, the faceless figures begin to haunt you. It’s only upon a second glance does one notice the beauty that surrounds these figures.
Goan artist Vrinda, who recently showcased a collection of her artwork at Karnataka Chitrakala Parishat, has a knack for painting the most expressive faces although they lack an ‘actual face’.
She explains, “The humans in my paintings are always faceless. I called this particular show ‘Xpressions’ because there is no way to know what is going on inside a person’s head just by looking at their facial expressions.”
What strikes you about the artist’s work are her keen eyes and fine lines. “I think India’s traditional art forms have so much to offer so I don’t want to leave them
behind. This way, I combine folk art with contemporary and abstract work.”
She draws inspiration from life and paints it using vibrant colours and metaphors. “My inspiration is life with its many colours. If I’m walking down the street and a stranger smiles at me — a genuine smile, it can make my day. I believe that irrespective of one’s problems, one should learn to paint just a little,” she says.
She adds, “I mostly paint about myself and my daily interactions with people. Whether I’m on a holiday, in love or with other people, I learn something new and enjoy painting these. And every state I go to for a show or a holiday, I have different experiences and meet different sets of people.”
While she paints on many themes, she prefers having women in her artwork. “Women are strong and they are the best,” she laughs.
Why did she turn to painting? “I have a degree in textile designing but I started painting in 2003. Once, there was a plane crash and I saw many people dying. It made me realise that life is unpredictable.”
How was her experience in Bengaluru? “This was the first time I showcased my work here and it was a good experience. I think Karnataka Chitrakala Parishat is the best place to have an exhibition because even though I didn’t know many people here, I had guests walking in to see my work,” she says.
“There were many people who were very informed about art and had a lot to say and share, which was nice,” she sums up.