synch roni ci t y SE E MA KOH L I
SYNCHRONICITY
22 June - 2 July 2011 nd
nd
A. Jain Marunouchi Gallery 24 West 57 Street New York NY - 10019 The show will travel to Modula Conceptio Dubai October 2011 Shrishti Art Gallery Hyderabad October 2011
Cadences of Fecundity The Creative World of Seema Kohli
Seema Kohli’s artistic world is ‘complete’ like the purna ghata or pot of plenty; there are lotuses, trees with deep roots, celestial beings, solar discs, seated and floating meditating and transcendental figures. The references and inspirations for this abundance of motifs and images derive from varied visual and philosophic traditions that seem particular and yet allude to a common and shared cultural matrix. Her art reflects a collective quest for the beginning; the fount of creation, knowledge and consciousness. Seema Kohli’s works explore the relationship between “being” and “consciousness” in a unique painterly world. The exploration is grounded on a deeply felt contemplation and openness whereby the canvas teams with germination, life and fecundity through a collision of mythological structures. Her works navigate the myths, traditions and philosophies of Ancient India and yet remain universal in their appeal. The figures depicted are faceless and can be everyman/woman. Feminine figures with flowing locks seated on lotus flowers, or holding lotus flowers in their hands proliferate the canvases. Rising from the roots and lotuses, the Earth and Water goddesses are moist, broad, boon giving, wish fulfilling and the root of all material and spiritual joy. They represent the feminine energies of creation called by different names at particular times and places be it Gaia, Innana, Isis or Maya that celebrate the fecund, fertile and creative aspects of femininity. However in the artist’s vision these are not limited to merely the procreative and the physical aspect of the feminine rather they are the embodiment of higher knowledge and consciousness. The divine feminine depicted by her is also the fecund Shakahambari and not just the popular Shakti or the all-powerful One. Shakhambari instead is the nourisher, of imagination as well as the spiritual quest; she is germane and germinative. The golden disc or the egg, representing the Golden womb or hiranyagarbha reappears as a leitmotif in more than one of her series. The egg supports the Tree of Life as in her single edition bronze sculpture. The paintings too have the egg and the disc in manifest and abstract states, juxtaposed with the amorphous matrix of thought, desire and enlightenment,-a continuum in the realm of being. The Hiranyagrabha is the source of the creation of the Universe in the Rg Vedic hymn Hiranyagarbha sukta. The state of the hiranyagarbha is profoundly innocent almost unconsciousas as the origin or the primal state before the appearance of dualities such as Yin and Yang , male and female, also good and evil.The Hiranyagarbha is the source of creative activity as Consciousness(Purusha) manifesting in Nature (Prakriti) Beyond this Golden womb lies the unmanifest, before and beyond time and space It is a dream state that is blissful but which has an inarticulate urge towards creation.
Kundalini is the sacred life force that awakens the chakras or nerve centres towards greater consciousness and ultimately to supreme consciousness.. Kohli’s works portray this awakening consciousness. In one of her works the female figure is supine, and kundalini or universal energy arises from her navel, creating concentric circles or chakras, and the male-female duality envelops the whole. Also present is the multiplicity and synchronicity that the artist conceives as an essential aspect of creation; as the parallel happenings that are meaningfully related through an underlying connecting principle. The multiple figures meditating , the lotus blooming and the recurrence of phenomena belong to this consciousness of the collective framework within which creation pulsates. The trees as depicted recall the Sthanu or pillar representative of the axis-mundi (universal axis). The tree reminds one of the trees of Indian mythology- Audumbara, Plaksa, Ashoka, Peepul, Banyan, all yearning for the feminine touch in order to flower and grow. The trees depicted in the works are abstractions of and representative of the universal tree transcending cultural and gestaltic boundaries. For the artist trees are un-contradictory symbols and elements of nature. They remain firmly rooted and connect all the three worlds/realms both of time (present past & future) and space. Life originates from the seed and the timeless as if in the pre existent forests. Though the tree recurs in her paintings, three panels depicting the Tree of life reflect three states of being. One is the factual tree real moving towards a meditative state. From here the sentient beings rise to liberation symbolized by birds. In another depiction the lowermost realm holds maya resting in a bucket, ensnaring the five senses, rising towards the tree of knowledge and liberation. Finally the conscious being ascends to become Sarasvati the embodiment of true knowledge or wisdom holding the globe of shunya, or ‘nothingness’ which is actually liberation via positvia rather than negative empty space. In this shunya, every svaas or breath is the breath of freedom. As one can see, her paintings express the fundamentals of life, achieving and emphasizing a heightened state of meditation. One also observes a trace of whimsy and the worldly. The stack of tea cups in the hand of the feminine figure allude to the artist’s own daily routine and dependence on the beverage for the creative juices to flow. There is a serendipitous mixing of the mundane with the symbolic, that evolves during Seema Kohli’s constant communication with the canvas.
Her struggle is to find herself and in the process she and her art celebrate life through the element called maya. This is embodied in one of the works that shows Krishna in red interacting with the milkmaids. Krishna signifies ultimate knowledge but this higher state could only be achieved after maya, as “ Yogamaya,� was sacrificed and Krishna emerged through darkness as light. This play of light and dark as symbolic of ignorance and wisdom, rajas and tamas ,cool and heat is a constant in her work. Many composition are engulfed by black or tamas, because without darkness there can be no light. The golden colour or hiranya is used in profusion as the ground and as embellishment in Seema’s paintings and functions as the material as well as lends it the ethereal aura. It is reminiscent of the golden colour of Vishnu and Lakshmi representing a world of illusion as well as materiality. But for Seema the colour represents pure light of the Sun. Gold stands for satya or the ultimate truth and satya is the Ultimate guru. In her working process she begins each canvas with a prayer and then applies a layer of the pure white followed by silver and gold leaf. Gold and silver together, to her, represent Enlightenment. Though deeply rooted in spiritual and philosophic tradition her work does not allude to a single faith or mythological tradition. This eclecticism can be attributed to her cosmopolitan and secular upbringing where all faiths were shared and respected with equal reverence. While this brought about an aloofness from the mainstream, it also enriched her artistic self and consciousness. Despite the universal feeling of familiarity in her paintings, a closer observation reveals that all figures such as bird and fishes are non referential to the outside world. She invented these as a child and has been working with them ever since The figures are as contemporary as is all philosophy and myths. Maya, Krishna, Creative Germ, Life are themes that are all continuous, relevant and eternally happening. They embody the living principles of nature. No wonder her paintings echo a collective relevance and resonance amongst the cognoscenti. Dr. Seema Bawa
Artist Statement My grandfathers’ tales have always enchanted me and thus I went on to study philosophy honors. My parents encouraged me and helped me come into my own. I soon realized that Academics were less than the answer to my quest, so I took seriously to painting. Having had no formal training in fine arts, strict deadlines were not for me, except those set by me for myself. I treaded the path of self-discovery through my paintings. India’s rich and vibrant history was steeped in mythology, faith, Gods and goddesses and the eternal quest. As a child, nestling snugly in my grandfather’s lap, I was introduced to faith, my Gods and mythology. They were stories of forgiveness, valor, and sacrifices and ultimately saint-hood. My tryst with faith started then. That was the beginning. There was no looking back. My rendezvous with colors was my solace and constant company. I have worked in different mediums in the past thirty years, but the subject has always been the same, the quest for the truth/self, Creation and Dissolution. I started with pen and ink drawings on paper, then moved on to photo colors, oil paints on canvas and finally mixed media on canvas, but it was always complemented by the initial elements, that have always remained a constant. They have only been refined in the course of the journey. The journey has been an infinite, indescribable experience, whereby I have explored the depths of my creativity and have been totally absorbed by it. To express my expressions on canvas, I had initially used different mythological figures that had fascinated me. From Shiva, Kali, the destroyer, to Krishna, the dark skin eternal lover. Over the past few years, I have been continuously pushing my own artistic frontiers and have thereby discovered ‘Hiranyagarbha’ or the ‘Golden Womb’, a series that evolved from a mantra of the Yajur Veda, ”Tree of Life” which substantiates as the basic law of nature and strengthens our faith in the Karmic continuity. “Whatever we sow so shall we reap” is practically proven by nature or “Oroborous” representing the continuous lifecycle. The essence remains the same, that of self-realization. ‘The Golden Womb’ or ‘Hiranyagarbha’ is the first eternal womb from which we have emerged. Literally translated, it means that Golden Womb which is self-pervading and engulfs every single thing. I personally believe that if all creation has emerged out of a womb, then the ultimate has to have the feminine qualities of procreation. Prakriti is concentrated in the ultimate being, which is the amalgamation of man and woman, but creation is the celebration of the feminine aspect of that Being. My works are a contemplation of that state or that Being. In my canvases I have tried to portray the various experiences that one goes through in the creation and evolution of the Being. Reaching the final liberation only by moving within and constantly reconstructing oneself (just like the Oroborous)
My oeuvres involve many layers of colors rendering a mysterious element to my works. There is intensive detailing expressing the continuation of the thought process. There is no place as Shunya or empty, even that “Emptiness” occupies a space. My figures are rather passive and have a meditative quality. They are usually merging with the visual. Reds expressing the vital energy, use of blue is very characteristic, the gold symbolizes the purity and all the colors I use have a certain meaning attached to them. I have in some of my works made use of mythological stories, their characters, their thoughts, be they Sufi, Hindu, Buddhist or Christian. I have used lotus stems abundantly to express the constant and tireless circle of creation, our various bonding and also as the umbilical cord, all finally leading to enlightenment or bliss- ananda. For me, my paintings are my medium of communication with the viewer or the outside world. This is my language. The way a viewer understands my work inspires me more than my own interpretation. I have participated in various exhibitions world-wide and my works can be found in the collections of--- to name a few, the President of Singapore, Arts Council of Singapore, Rubin Museum NY, International/Domestic Airports in Delhi and Mumbai, Lalit Kala Akademi, ICCR, Northern Railways, Indian Railways, Defense Ministry, various state museums in India amongst others. I am venturing into newer fields and projects; not able among them is my experimentation of multimedia, where I am exploring the various nuances like installation, sculpture and films. I have also worked with steel as a new medium in a project with Jindal Steel, not to mention a book and exhibition titled Dus Mahavidyas, where I featured as one of the 10 prominent female Indian artists, whose work revolves around ‘shakti’. Today I am gearing up for new challenges, progressing from the old to the new, however the quintessence will always remain the same----that of self-discovery and self-realization that will, time and again, find expression on the canvas. Seema Kohli Summer,2011 New Delhi
The Tree of Life
36” x 36”, Mix Medium on Canvas, 24Kt Gold Leaf
Pri mordial Mot her This painting reflects the power, force, and the feminine energy, for she represents the primal creative principle underlying the cosmos. She is the energizing force of all divinity, of every being and every thing. She manifests countless beings abiding in an infinite set of worlds, seen and unseen, gross and subtle, hidden and exposed.
36” x 36”, Mix Medium on Canvas, 24Kt Gold Leaf
36” x 18”, Mix Medium on Canvas, 24Kt Gold Leaf
The Divine Tree (Left) “The real form of this tree cannot be perceived in this world. No one can understand where it ends, where it begins, or where its foundation is. But with determination one must cut down this strongly rooted tree with the weapon of detachment. Thereafter, one must seek that place from which, having gone, one never returns, and there surrender to that Supreme Personality of Godhead from whom everything began and from whom everything has extended since time immemorial.�
The Tree Element (Right) This work reflects that the tree is a very important element, as important as the embryonic form, as is it representational of steadfastness, rootedness, probably the only element of nature which expresses the connection of all the three worlds, or the trinity in Hindu mythology---the world beneath us (where the actual creation takes place, tamas)- brahma, the world we are living in- vishnu (or the sustenance or growth, rajas)and also the heavens or the unknown - mahesh(sattva, the seat of elevation).
The Powers Divine This work of art pays obeisance to the ‘Divine Powers’ that are. It pays tribute to the cosmic energies that rule the whole universe, to the various elements that comprise the universe and the coexistence of harmony amongst all. It also reflects a meditative state, a time for introspection and soul-searching. It tells us that we are the masters of our own lives, the creators of our destinies. We only need to look within.
48” x 36”, Mix Medium on Canvas, 24Kt Gold Leaf
60” x 18”, Mix Medium on Canvas, 24Kt Gold Leaf
Eternal Mother This painting reflects that the roots of life lie in the women, who are responsible for procreation. The roots are the source of wisdom, of energy and a new life. It also reflects the constant truth that the woman is the creator. She is the wellspring of life and thereby of eternity
Tree of Li fe This painting is titled Tree of Life , as it reflects the fountain of knowledge that connects heaven and earth and all forms of creation. Just as the tree is the foundation for all things earthly, the branches that reach out towards the sky reflect the spiritual aspect of our beings.
48” x 36”, Mix Medium on Canvas, 24Kt Gold Leaf
The I mmort al Mot her The eternal truth of the woman is the essence of life itself. She is the creator of this universe and she is the Immortal Mother. It also reflects the undisputable power of the woman. She is the procreator, the chosen one, who has the power to create life after life. She is the protagonist in the creation of life.
60” x 66”, Mix Medium on Canvas, 24Kt Gold Leaf
The Etern al Spi ri t ]
This painting reveals that even the tree derives its strength from the resilient spirit of the woman and just as its branches and leaves blossom, so does the woman, thereby enabling procreation and creationn.
24” x 24”, Mix Medium on Canvas, 24Kt Gold Leaf
Shakti The energies of the sacred feminine are deeply integrated in our cultural and social fabric. As Shakti, she emanates vitality that empowers all existence. Omnipresent in India’s spiritual landscape, she has, through the millennia, been immortalized. The whole universe is the manifestation of Shakti.
24” x 24”, Mix Medium on Canvas, 24Kt Gold Leaf
Pr i sti ne Kn owl edge
This painting manifests the spirit of the Goddess of Knowledge - Goddess Saraswati. She is the river of consciousness that fosters creation; she is the dawn-goddess whose rays dispel the darkness of ignorance. Worshipping the Goddess elevates you to the world of higher consciousness.
36” x 48”, Mix Medium on Canvas, 24Kt Gold Leaf
Desire - 27” x 48”, Mix Medium on Canvas, 24Kt Gold Leaf
The love ballad This painting reflects the epitome of eternal love that exists between Radha and Krishna. It also reflects the unconditional love between the individual and the divine. The love between Radha and Krishna was the embodiment of passion, devotion and spiritual. She was the shakti (energy) and like Krishna was the source of supreme godliness. 36� x 60�, Mix Medium on Canvas, 24Kt Gold Leaf
The Tree of Li fe
Lenghth 24” ,Height 30” ,Width 18” The tree of life is the extension of the golden womb or Hiranyagarbha. When the creation takes place the karmic cycle begins. This unending cycle of life, which is never degenerating, regressing or negative, which leads us to our path of final liberation.
Hi ranyagarbha
Height 24” ,Width 18” ‘Hiranyagarbha’ is the first eternal womb from which we have emerged. Literally translated, it means that Sun which is the “Golden Womb -which is self-pervading engulfs every single thing, including the creation, the cosmic journey, of the oneness of being and the final liberation.
P ROFI LE Born in 1960,Seema Kohli has created her own niche in the global contemporary orbit of art. Her creative repertoire is eclectic and covers most bases and mediums in the creative field –encompassing painting, murals, installations, sculptures and the installation performances. Her exceptional rendition, ‘Ouroborus’ – re-enacting birth, life, and liberation through a confluence of media…84 paintings, 84 photographs and 84 installations, all of it inspired pieces of what are Seema’s expressions of the different births; different Yoni’s or species – at the Art Summit, January, 2011 wowed viewers and critics alike. She has to her credit three murals for the Defense Ministry and has also very recently been commissioned to do a 10 x 100 feet mural at the Delhi International Airport, GMR T3. She added yet another jewel to her star-studded artistic career by winning the gold at the Florence Biennale in the category of video, (“Biennale internazionale dell’arte contemporanea, ciia di firenze, 7th edizione 2009, 1 premio “video”, firenze in Florence, Italy). She has also received the Young FICCI Ladies Organisation Women Achiever’s Awards and the Lalit Kala National Awards for Women2008. She has exhibited widely spanning continents. She has more than 20 solo shows to her credit. Her works adorns the walls of many public and private collections, including the Rubin Museum and she has participated in several art fairs across the world. The artist currently lives and works in New Delhi, India.
Gallery Time and Space Gallery Time and Space was established in 1997. It started as an experimental venture that sought to understand the esoteric and dynamic ethos of contemporary Art and to participate in its magical world. Through successive shows the gallery has become a significant part of the Art world and has played its role in promoting some of the finest artists in the country. The space has also been used for art events such as art appreciation courses, artist’s dialogues, group discussions,book launches,as well as music concerts,film, screenings,poetry readings, and experimental theater. This has been instrumental in extending the paradigms of consciousness and appreciation of Art .
Acknowledgements Gallery Time & Space A Jain Marunouchi Gallery Modula Conceptio Shrishti Art Gallery and Mr. George M C Seema Bawa Catalogue design Svabhu Kohli Photographer Vishal Harnal