Mumbai-based artist Komal D Shah will be showcasing her works in Chennai from today.
The multi-faceted artist talks about her love for colours and her idea of keeping her works simple
CHENNAI:A patron of several art forms — a dancer, singer and painter, Komal D Shah heals herself through art. Having studied Fine Arts at Stella Maris, she restarted her painting after a 15 year break. “Even though I took a break, I was connected to art. I was updated with everything in the art world as well,” she smiles.
With her father being a poet and mother being an artist, she believes that art runs in her blood. “At present, I cannot distinguish one from the other because they are all connected somehow. Art is integral to me. I get inspired to paint if I listen to a song or watch someone sing,” she says.
Komal is also inspired by everything Indian — the history, culture, morals and traditions. Ask her if these morals are getting lost with time among today’s generation and she says, “Yes definitely. My plan is to start a gallery wherein through my paintings of festivals and food, I want to highlight the beliefs and culture we had.”
She works on a lot of new tantric, mythological, abstract paintings, and talks about the significance of colour in her work. “I can’t see a world that is black and white. Even my monochrome art has some colour in it! I associate colour with emotions,” she smiles.
Komal mostly works with oil paints and acrylics. “Each layer of an oil paint is like a layer of life. I do about seven-eight layers minimum. The actual point emerges out of the painting itself and it helps me identify with life.” She is inspired by the palette and techniques of artists like Rembrandt, Botticelli and Raja Ravi Verma.
Her show is a depiction of her life, from childhood to being a mother. She has painted her passions, influences, her marriage, and being part of a new family. She claims that her favourite is a Kundalini Shakti painting. “I became aware of my inner strength when I
restarted painting. It was a period of transformation.”
Komal believes in art therapy and its’ power to make people happy. “When someone looks at my paintings, it should be pleasing. I associate art with something beautiful and happy. I’m against showcasing morbid and dark paintings,” she adds and urges everyone to start appreciating some art form. “Every individual needs to have one art form in his/her life. To make them more humane and sensitive.”
Catch Komal’s work at Hotel Ambassador Pallava until Feb 15