Shivani Pandey’s artworks describe the state of human mind and how it is bound by rules and regulations
Solo mixed media art exhibition by renowned artist Shivani Pandey was inaugurated by chief guests Tine Staermose director, Decent Work Team, South Asia & Country Office-India, International labour Organisation and Kalyan Kumar Chakravarty, chairman, lalit Kala Akademi, at Palm Court Gallery, India Habitat Centre. Satish Upadhyaya, president, Delhi State, BJP, joined the celebrations with his wife Arti.
Speaking on the occasion Staermose said, “It is a beautiful exhibition. As personal as it is and universal. It is an honour to be the chief guest here. Your curious and free spirit is so inspiring.” Chairman lalit Kala Akedemi, Chakravarty also spoke about the inner journey of the soul, which was beautifully depicted in the artworks. He drew a parallel between the civilisations of the world and talked about the richness of Indian art and philosophy. Upadhyaya was delighted to express his sentiments. “It represents a wonderful journey of the artist,” he said.
Pandey also spoke about the importance of the Tabula Rasa, the blank state of mind that is so important to be reached before the mind goes on a creative high.
The theme and title of the exhibition, which is on up to November 20, is Tabula Rasa…for a new beginning. “Tabula Rasa in latin means a clear slate and originates from the Roman tabula or wax tablet used for notes, which was blanked by heating the wax and then smoothening it, to give a tabula rasa. In Psychology, it relates to the theory that at birth the (human) mind is a ‘blank slate’ without rules for processing data and that data is added and rules for processing are formed solely by one’s sensory experiences. So in order to achieve one’s goals and desires, despite the setbacks that one has faced, one needs to clear his mind to reach a tabula rasa and start afresh. My works describe the meaning of tabula rasa, ‘before it is reached’ and ‘after it is reached’ in the human mind,” explained the artist.
The artist is an international travel writer and photographer. Her works are published in national and international magazines and she is much appreciated for her sensitivity of portrayal and depiction of intensity of life and emotion. Shivani learned the nuances of photography from the renowned photographer OP Sharma. In the past few years, Shivani has also worked with various international development agencies working for women and children. Shivani has hosted her photography exhibitions in USA and India.