STAFF REPORTER
MUSCAT: The contemporary art solo exhibition titled ‘Journey of Souls’ by Dr Shalini Gupta Kumar concluded at The Gallery Sarah, Bait Al Zubair, on November 2. The exhibition, curated by Fahad al Hasani, coincided with the Diwali celebrations and was inaugurated by Anil Khimji, Director of Khimji Ramdas.
During a visit by students from the University of Technology and Applied Science with Professor Tahira Fida, Dr Shalini explained about her artworks on display.
The concluding day of the exhibition saw an interactive session of paint with artist in which children and others tried hand painting with palette.
‘Journey of Souls’ offered an intimate look into the artists artistic vision, featuring 14 large abstract artworks created with acrylics and mixed media on canvas, and an installation 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 says, describing the use of vibrant hues like yellow, orange, blue, violet, brown, and gold to create “an enchanting view for the beholder.”
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 fulfilment 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.
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, Dr Shalini was awarded ‘Best Sculpture’ for her innovative work using natural bark and wood at art and Soul Gallery.
‘Journey of Souls,’ curated by Fahad al Hasani showcased at Gallery Sarah and the exhibition opened on October 21.
Oman Observer is now on the WhatsApp channel. Click here
