Cover: My Heart in Your Hands 12 x 12 inches Acrylics
My recent work is symbolic of my life’s experiences. Moments that make up our lives can only be expressed personally by each individual. They represent a standard of measure between thoughts and transcendence. Intimacy to me is not purely physical; it is an emotional dance that interplays within ourselves. It does not always accompany a sexual interlude, but in fact, is the intensity one experiences within a chapter of our existence. These paintings are influenced by my life; they often reflect my journey transitioning from one stage to another. This collection entitled ‘Intimate Moments’ represents that interplay over the past couple of years and the influence it has had on my emotions during the creative process. Every thought, every brush stroke, I connect with so deeply. Every vivid colour, every line and every moment is a reflection of my heart and soul. Every flowing gesture of my paintings dances on the line of intimacy. Each characteristic ripe in their own nature yet attributes to the body as a whole and they become an extension of my innermost self. It is my hope that my paintings captivate and speak to a wider audience. My heartfelt thanks to all for sharing with me my intimate moments. Shalini Seereeram 2014
The Little Things We Hold 12 x 12 inches Acrylics
‘‘All we ever have are moments in our lives that make up the very core of our existence… they become our ‘Intimate Moments’ ” – Shalini
In My Thoughts 40 x 30 inches Acrylics
An Intimate Moment 10 x 20 inches Acrylics
Chai Moment 12 x 12 inches Acrylics
Blue Lily 21 x 12 inches Acrylics
ABOUT THE ARTIST Shalini Seereeram is an innovative artist who has been creating vibrant, undulating portraits of women and men for the past fourteen years of her career. Her technical style is informed by continuous lines, intricate patterns, swirls and dramatic contrast of colour within the picture plane depicting Indo-Caribbean culture. Born in Trinidad in January 1972, Shalini has spent most of her life in Chaguanas, in a more remote setting surrounded by the scenic countryside. This provides a haven for her paintings which capture a sense of movement and particular posture from their characters. Though primarily self-taught, Shalini uses acrylics, oils, nail lacquer, collage and metal wire in her pieces at times like on old chattel windows. This is another medium of expression as it creates a completely new dimension to her work as soft lighting is used to convey the feel of stained-glass. She has also embodied techniques learnt in her study over the years of Graphic Design and Jewelry at John S. Donaldson Technical Institute (presently named UTT- University of Trinidad and Tobago John Donaldson Campus) where she excelled in the latter and was awarded a President’s medal in 1997. As a painter, Shalini has fought hard to create art from techniques that are largely considered illustrative and can be labeled her own style, as well as she continues to quietly produce and show to the beat of her own drum in Trinidad, Barbados and USA. In her last recent exhibitions at Y Art Gallery 2010 and Horizons Art Gallery in 2012, her images have become a bit more aggressive and fractured, more stained in terms of palette, with her signature colours playing off each other. She has been abstracting the shapes of arms, legs and her faces are becoming less and less about racial make-up as she endeavors to explore the beauty of unending line quality. She still enjoys patterns in fabric, as sari’s undulate and sarongs swish against the breeze. Twisting the body is something that she may continue to explore, as it seems to be a repetitive interest in her work. Shalini has been consistently illustrating for magazine spreads seen locally like Caribbean Airlines In-flight Magazine and was also featured in Caribbean Belle, MACO Caribbean Living and Express Woman. She is a featured artist in The House of Angostura Gallery Book 2014 entitled ‘A Work of Art’ commemorating their 190th Anniversary. She is also featured in The National Museum and Art Gallery Book 2011 entitled ‘Women and Art: A Journey to the Past...Perspectives on the Future’. She was awarded the ASTT- Art Society of Trinidad and Tobago Prize for Painting in 2000, and was a featured visual artist for CLICO Insurance Co. Calendar 2003 and Trinidad National Lotteries Control Board 2014. She has also exhibited locally, regionally and internationally in the United States at the Organization of American States (OAS) Headquarters hosted by the Embassy of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago Washington D.C. Adele Todd 2014
Temple of Silence 40 x 30 inches Acrylics
Gravity of Love 10 x 10 inches Acrylics
Evening Star 12 x 12 inches Acrylics
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Š 2014 Y Art and Framing Gallery and Shalini Seereeram . All rights reserved. Published by Yasmin Hadeed for Y Art and Framing Gallery, 26 Taylor Street, Woodbrook Trinidad and Tobago I Tel: (868) 628-4165 Design and Layout by Johnny Gonsalves I Photography by Renelle Eustace I Printed by CPT