PIECES OF MY LIFE a story
s a n a
k a r n a w a t
How might we bring light to an Indian tribal art form: Warli, in an urban international community?
MOOD BOARD
WARLI tribal
art
Jivya Soma Mashe, Tarpana, acrylic and cowdung on canvas, 100 x 126 cm, 1998
Warli is one of the oldest art forms in India. It was created by an indigenous tribe called Warli in the Western Ghats of northern Maharasthra. These paintings show a great resemblance to ancient cave paintings. The tribe uses Mother Nature as their inspiration and therefore most of the paintings depict farming, fishing, trees and animals. The rural community uses white rice powder as paint and earthen clay and walls of their huts as their canvases. The rawness of their paintings gives them exceptional qualities. Originally, Warli paintings were limited to depicting rituals or daily lives of the tribe. One of the most recognize artists of this culture, Jivya Soma Mashe transformed the art form. He began using it for artistic and decorative purposes as well. He went through a very difficult childhood and used that period of personal withdrawal to emerge himself in this beautiful art form. He soon received recognition on a national level from famous leaders like Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. Later, he was also felicitated with awards in Paris, Berlin, London and New York. This man was responsible for bringing Warli art to the world outside its small home. However, it is still unknown to most people outside of India. Urban Indians themselves do not have a lot of exposure to this folk art. The aim of my project is to modernize and bring this art form into the contemporary world while keeping its roots intact.
VISUAL VOCABULARY
EXPERIMENTING WITH COLOR
Risograph & Linoleum Prints
PIECES OF MY LIFE my
story
I created a series of paintings on primed panels with acryclic paint, using the vocabulary of Warli, to illustrate the journey I have tread till date. Further along, I have explained the story in the same manner that it came to me - through my thoughts.
36 x 36” (each 12 x 12”)
HOME
my start & end, where I belong, my beautiful family
FRIENDS
connections, growing up, life was easier, people were closer
LOVE
the one who puts a smile on my face, day & night on my mind, with you I rise, without you I fall
CHILDHOOD
happy & carefree, joyful faces, under the comfort of home, with my loved ones
PASSIONS
brush in my hand, voice on my lips, all I need to be happy, is to sing and color
PURSUING DREAMS
leaving for the big City, hardest thing I’ve done, my heart is in two places, one’s back home, other’s with me & my dreams
NEW
YORK
so in love with this magnificent opportunity, making it my priority, by giving it my all
BALANCE
relationships are hard to maintain, lost some & gained some, it only gets tougher, to balance every aspect of life
HEART
I cant wait to go back, and be with my home, my heart will be full, new york still special