This art series consists of drawings, paintings, sculptures and installation, made using handmade paper, handmade inks, and earth-based pigment powder. The creation of this series has not only allowed me to explore new techniques and materials but has also provided a means for me to express my thoughts and concerns regarding the current global environmental crisis and further deepen my research practice. In this exhibition, I explored text from the Athava Veda (63 verses of Prithvi sutra) that praises the earth and the need for a healthy ecosystem and encourages conscious evolvement of mankind. My artwork discussed here expresses the care, love and earth-awareness that is vital for sustaining healthy ecosystems. (Chapple, C. 2011). Through my artwork, I embark on an exploration of the self, drawing inspiration from the Vedas’ rich mythology, symbolic language, and meditative practices. The primary materials used in my drawings that were exhibited in The Earth Breathes’ exhibition series were handmade paper, handmade inks, and pigment powder. For most of my work, I chose to create my own paper using recycled paper as a way to reduce waste and promote sustainability. The process of making handmade paper allowed me to experiment with different textures and weights, resulting in unique surfaces for my drawings and paintings.
I experimented making handmade paper sheets in my studio by using scrap papers, any discarded material from misprinted linocut prints to receipts and cardboard boxes by first soaking them in water. This was then pulped using a blender, pressed and dried into sheets on a wooden frame. The paper’s thick texture and uneven deckled edges gave it a unique form. This process of using discarded materials into making paper, reflects the similar transformative journey as creating paper from the tree pulps. Inspired by the Prithvi Sukta verses, making this handmade paper not only highlights the value of sustainability and recycling in my work but also rejuvenates my creative practice.
I used natural inks and pigment powder on these handmade papers which gave varied effects on the thick texture of the paper. The organic inks and pigments when brushed on the surface of the handmade paper created a distinctive expression with their rich, natural hues and textures. The process of experimentation and reflection sparked by Vedic texts transform my creative process into a meditation. In Vedic philosophy, Shiva and Shakti, the complementary aspect of creation, symbolize the interconnectedness of the universe. Through my abstract drawings, I strive to translate this abstract principle into a visual language, inviting viewers to contemplate the essence of creation and unity. Below are some experimental drawings using inks and pigments on handmade paper.