Link to the inner soul
The artist describes it as a celebration on canvas. Swati Pasari’s artworks are a depiction of immortality and timelessness; a manifestation of her own identity. Characterised by creamy palettes and smooth textures that are interwoven into a dense surface; her paintings blend passion and divinity.
Her latest exhibition in Bangalore, Soulink, is a journal of experiences created by the artist. “Soulink is an attempt to put the spirit of celebration on canvas. My paintings are an extension of my soul—the epicentre of my existence,” says the artist, adding that the state of mind is often mirrored on the work and plays a crucial role in truly defining one’s identity.
Hailing from a city that resonates with cultural heritage—Kolkata—Swati uses her canvas to comprehend heightened awareness. Her artworks are a dense grid of intricate textures. Swati is deft at portraying emotions that capture the essence of life. Her art works often evokes raw emotions that are imbued with angst. “I did not choose art as a medium to express myself. Rather, art chose me as a medium to express itself. We live in a world which is dynamic and evolving. And, art is a representation of the current state of mankind. Every artwork is precious as it records all that we have been, all that we are and all that we aspire to be,” says the artist.
With bold lines and velvety consistency, her paintings are dominated by vibrant colour palettes. Exuding depth and warmth, each of her works create a sense of escape and romance. According to Swati, the canvas instills a sense of liberation in all. She truly believes that any form of art turns an artist into an innocent creature who has no qualms about letting his or her emotions flow freely. Moreover, art is an organic yet evolving entity that has an identity of its own. A depressed soul would tend to get lost amidst the colours and use it as an escape route into a surreal world. However, a positive soul would get elevated further with the inspiration an artist has to offer.
“Alberto Giacometti once said the object of art is not to reproduce reality but to create a reality of the same intensity. What is reality? It is a collection of animate and inanimate objects perceived by the world in a specific manner, which eventually convinces us of their existence being real. Pygmalion fell in love with his creation, a statue. For him, it was not a reproduction of anything. It was a true portrayal of his reality which changed his life forever,” says Swati with a beaming smile.
For Swati, her art is not directed towards an end. It is purely fulfilling her destiny to embark on a journey of self-discovery. While seeking solace within the realms of an artistic sphere, she has realised that today art has become her form of spirituality.
“This is a journey that begins from within. Different people get in touch with divinity in different ways. And, art is my way of truly understanding who I am. It is all about striking that fine balance between beauty and reality. In fact, beauty is quite subjective. For someone who experienced life in a concentration camp, the sight of a pack of cigarettes might have been fascinating. On the other hand, what you and I consider grotesque can actually be quite beautiful to someone else,” she says.
Like a true dreamer, she too believes that if enough artists collaborate to create joyous and positive artworks, it will make the world a better place to live in. So what’s next for Swati Pasari? “I am trying a new style of painting. Let’s see how it turns out to be,” she signs off.
Soulink will be on display at the Sublime Galleria, UB City, Bangalore, till July 15.