Delhi-based artist Shreela Gokarn portrays the present smoggy and dull landscapes of the city and wonders where the colours have got lost

Growing up in the coastal areas of Tamil Nadu, artist Shreela Gokarn spent her  childhood amidst bright sunlit beaches, mountains and green landscapes. Starkly different from the scenery, the grey smog-clogged sky of Delhi caught the attention of Gokarn.

The bright colours of the landscapes fading away to something dull and dismal, is beautifully depicted in her paintings. Through her exhibition titled Change the Colour — that has around 30 works on display, Gokarn attempts to raise awareness about the repercussions of our actions on the environment. “I want to showcase the detrimental consequences of rapidly growing urbanisation, water crisis, disappearing jungles and similar aspects leading to the deterioration of our planet, while highlighting the goodness and healing touch of nature,” Gokarn says.

The collection is divided into three parts in a  consecutive narrative. The first set of 12 artworks, depict how humans just blend in with the nature, representing the thought — “We are part of the earth and it is part of us,”

There is a sudden change in the second section, which captures the present condition of the environment – ‘when life’s green gives away’. The five works in this collection are marked by dismal colours where the landscapes slowly fade way.

But the last section is a reflection of her positivity. Depicted by 12 artworks it represents – ‘Mother Nature is generous, if only we give her a chance’. “From the dismal back to the colours. A little bit of effort from everyone can restore the environment quite successfully,” she believes.

Gokarn is an interior designer turned artist. Her works are a clear reflection of her spiritual inclination. Gokarn’s works are created digitally in an imaging software with a fusion of textures, colours and blending effects, which are later printed on canvas. She experiments and innovates to bring freshness to her creations that are uniquely her own.

The exhibition is on display at Triveni Kala Sangam till April 15.