When the ocean whispers to the canvas...

In a major new solo show in New Delhi, renowned artist Jayasri Burman combines cowries, shells and river soil to create stunning works of art. Connecting her work to ancient traditions and cultural practices, she uses these materials to celebrate the beauty and diversity of the natural world. “In her new body of work, Jayasri explores themes of ecology, the power of femininity and complex narratives deeply rooted in cultural symbolism and myth while gradually moving towards a fresh creative visual language,” says Sunaina Anand, Founder-Director, Art Alive Gallery.

The inspiration for the show came from memories of her childhood. When she was eight, Burman travelled to Puri with her family and was fascinated by the sea. She noticed the cowries and shells in the sand. “Lost in the stories of creatures under the sea, the way the wave crashed against the shore, strewing it with shells, a world of fascination and fantasy emerged within me,” she recalls. When they returned home, they would dry the cowries and shells, which smelled of the sea. “Combined with my inclination towards mythology, getting acquainted with stories of the Samudra Manthana, cowries emerging from the land, when cowries were symbolic of wealth, germination, the beauty of nature and the female form, all these left a lasting impact on me,” she says.

The exhibition invites one on an immersive journey into Burman’s enchanting universe, exploring the cosmic connection of stars and water bodies, the harmony of colours and the expanse of mystical landscapes.

Burman is deeply connected with tradition, retold through a modern perspective, weaving together ancient mythology, nature and the power of women. She infuses these age-old mythologies with her personal experiences from a contemporary perspective.

For Burman, shells and cowries are symbols of the ocean, life and cultural heritage. Her vivid paintings exude warmth, earthiness and tranquillity. “The notable shift in my visual language is a result of my journey with spirituality and bhakti. Through the motif of shells and cowries evident in my recent works, I wished to explore the subtle nuances of the unconscious while remaining true to contemporary issues,” she says. While it took more than three years to complete this body of work, most of the works were completed only last year. However, these ideas have been subconsciously brewing within the artist since childhood. “In a way, it can be said that it took me 50 years to come up with this body of work,” she smiles.

Burman trained at the distinguished Kala Bhavana Institute of Fine Arts in India and received the Padma Shri Award from the Indian government in 1985. In 2007, India issued a series of stamps featuring her paintings to commemorate International Women’s Day. “As an artist, my process is not so simple. My mind is always erupting with ideas and when they come to me, I create my art,” she says.

Her biggest inspirations are azure skies, and majestic mountains, forming the colours of nature as well as people around her. “Wherever I go, be it Varanasi, Khajuraho, Konark, or any old temple in the corners of small towns or villages, I feel inspired by the energy it harbours. Being in these places is a spiritual experience,” she says. Women also play a major role in her visual vocabulary. “When I see women selling vegetables or other things trying to make a livelihood to look after themselves and their family, I get very inspired,” she says. Her childhood also had a huge role to play in her art. “Back in the day, during Durga Puja, many visitors came to pay their respects to the idol of the goddess. Witnessing the belief and faith in the mother goddess shaped my thoughts,” she adds.

Not many people probably know that Burman writes poetry too. “Sometimes, when I can’t express myself wholly on my canvas, I try to express myself through the power of words. I play with words and I try to paint with my words. It is a recluse for my emotions,” she concludes.

‘The Whisper of Water, The Song of Stars’ is running at the Art Alive Gallery, New Delhi, till February 28.