A celebration of art and emotion at Gallery Sarah
Published: 02:11 PM,Nov 07,2024 | EDITED : 06:11 PM,Nov 07,2024
A contemporary art solo exhibition titled ‘Journey of Souls’ by Dr Shalini Gupta Kumar (1)
BY STAFF REPORTER
A contemporary art solo exhibition titled ‘Journey of Souls’ by Dr Shalini Gupta Kumar was inaugurated by Anil Khimji, Director of Khimji Ramdas, at The Gallery Sarah, Bait Al Zubair. The exhibition, curated by Fahad Al Hassani, coincided with Diwali celebrations.
This exhibition marks another special milestone for Dr Shalini. Titled ‘Journey of Souls’, it offers an intimate look into her artistic vision, featuring 14 large abstract artworks created with acrylics and mixed media on canvas, and an installation titled Soul of Oman using indigenous vegetation, rock pigments, and sand. The collection encapsulates her spiritual reflections and the emotional journeys encountered in life.
“We are divine yet imperfect beings, shuttling between the material and spiritual worlds while striving for self-mastery and knowledge,” she explains, describing the use of vibrant hues like yellow, orange, blue, violet, brown, and gold to create “an enchanting view for the beholder.”
With over four decades of artistic exploration, Dr Shalini’s work reflects her passion for varied techniques, from acrylic painting to ceramics and sculpture. Her exhibitions have been showcased in Oman, India, UAE, Indonesia, Uganda, Brunei, Greece, Canada, US, and Russia.
Recently, she was awarded ‘Best Sculpture’ for her innovative work using natural bark and wood at Art and Soul Gallery.
There is also an installation artwork embodying the title – Soul of Oman – done using indigenous vegetation, rock pigments and sand of Oman.
Dr Shalini explains, that in life, one undergoes a myriad of emotional journeys, in one’s pursuit of a means of subsistence – this often brings on confusion and disillusionment that leaves the individual struggling to find meaning and fulfillment in his/her life. Though spiritual encounters do bring about reflection and refinement, it often leaves one at the crossroads given the compulsions of modern living, she asserts.
“The journey of every individual is different, yet it has a balance of two aspects – there is warmth and brightness of good deeds, on one hand, and unrest and dullness of bad deeds, on the other,” she says, adding that her artworks depict this very confluence of good and bad deeds via different hues and shapes in a contemporary way. “Through meditative art works invisible emotions of souls are depicted beautifully,” she asserts.
Through ‘Journey of Souls’, Dr Shalini dives deep into the complexities of human existence, depicting the balance of good and bad deeds with contemporary artistry. “The journey of every individual is unique,” she says. “It’s a reflection of emotions - sometimes happy, sometimes sad, and sometimes entangled in a whirlpool of experiences and our deeds.”
Dr Shalini’s soulful narrative in Journey of Souls captures the essence of human emotions and their impact on our spiritual journeys. The exhibition at Gallery Sarah is an invitation to explore not just her art, but the deeper currents of life and soul.
In Muscat’s art circles, Dr Shalini needs no introduction. Known for her warm, lively demeanor, a signature husky voice, and an ever-present smile, she is a dynamic figure - a painter, sculptor, poet, dancer, and art teacher all in one. Her omnipresence in exhibitions and art events is coupled with her ability to instantly connect with those around her.
‘Journey of Souls,’ curated by Fahad al Hassani is showcased at Gallery Sarah. The exhibition which opened on October 21 concluded on November 2.
A contemporary art solo exhibition titled ‘Journey of Souls’ by Dr Shalini Gupta Kumar was inaugurated by Anil Khimji, Director of Khimji Ramdas, at The Gallery Sarah, Bait Al Zubair. The exhibition, curated by Fahad Al Hassani, coincided with Diwali celebrations.
This exhibition marks another special milestone for Dr Shalini. Titled ‘Journey of Souls’, it offers an intimate look into her artistic vision, featuring 14 large abstract artworks created with acrylics and mixed media on canvas, and an installation titled Soul of Oman using indigenous vegetation, rock pigments, and sand. The collection encapsulates her spiritual reflections and the emotional journeys encountered in life.
“We are divine yet imperfect beings, shuttling between the material and spiritual worlds while striving for self-mastery and knowledge,” she explains, describing the use of vibrant hues like yellow, orange, blue, violet, brown, and gold to create “an enchanting view for the beholder.”
With over four decades of artistic exploration, Dr Shalini’s work reflects her passion for varied techniques, from acrylic painting to ceramics and sculpture. Her exhibitions have been showcased in Oman, India, UAE, Indonesia, Uganda, Brunei, Greece, Canada, US, and Russia.
Recently, she was awarded ‘Best Sculpture’ for her innovative work using natural bark and wood at Art and Soul Gallery.
There is also an installation artwork embodying the title – Soul of Oman – done using indigenous vegetation, rock pigments and sand of Oman.
Dr Shalini explains, that in life, one undergoes a myriad of emotional journeys, in one’s pursuit of a means of subsistence – this often brings on confusion and disillusionment that leaves the individual struggling to find meaning and fulfillment in his/her life. Though spiritual encounters do bring about reflection and refinement, it often leaves one at the crossroads given the compulsions of modern living, she asserts.
“The journey of every individual is different, yet it has a balance of two aspects – there is warmth and brightness of good deeds, on one hand, and unrest and dullness of bad deeds, on the other,” she says, adding that her artworks depict this very confluence of good and bad deeds via different hues and shapes in a contemporary way. “Through meditative art works invisible emotions of souls are depicted beautifully,” she asserts.
Through ‘Journey of Souls’, Dr Shalini dives deep into the complexities of human existence, depicting the balance of good and bad deeds with contemporary artistry. “The journey of every individual is unique,” she says. “It’s a reflection of emotions - sometimes happy, sometimes sad, and sometimes entangled in a whirlpool of experiences and our deeds.”
Dr Shalini’s soulful narrative in Journey of Souls captures the essence of human emotions and their impact on our spiritual journeys. The exhibition at Gallery Sarah is an invitation to explore not just her art, but the deeper currents of life and soul.
In Muscat’s art circles, Dr Shalini needs no introduction. Known for her warm, lively demeanor, a signature husky voice, and an ever-present smile, she is a dynamic figure - a painter, sculptor, poet, dancer, and art teacher all in one. Her omnipresence in exhibitions and art events is coupled with her ability to instantly connect with those around her.
‘Journey of Souls,’ curated by Fahad al Hassani is showcased at Gallery Sarah. The exhibition which opened on October 21 concluded on November 2.