The India International Centre is set to present the solo art exhibition of visual artist Swati Goel titled “Nature’s Calling.” The exhibition will be held at Annexe Gallery on Lodhi Road in New Delhi from June 8 to June 15, 2023, open to the public from 11 am to 7 pm.
Swati expressed her deep connection to her exhibition titled “Nature’s Calling.” Inspired by her maternal grandmother, she fondly recalls how her grandmother’s extensive knowledge of plants, seeds, pots, and leaves ignited her passion for painting and colors.
Swati realised that “nature” encompasses more than just flora and fauna—it also encompasses personality and human nature. This realization prompted her to question if people are truly embracing nature, urging them to pause, breathe, and appreciate the beauty of the sky, moon, stars, and grass while reflecting on themselves.
In her artwork, Swati aims to demonstrate how, amidst the busyness of everyday life, we can take a moment to embrace nature. Even if the colors in her paintings are not predominantly green, she encourages viewers to feel a connection with the vibrant hues presented.
She explores the concept of using a single color or a limited palette to portray various aspects of nature, emphasizing the depth and intrigue that can arise from this approach.
Swati emphasises the constant allure of nature, explaining that it always calls out to us, even in the form of the ashes left behind when someone passes away, as their souls are reincarnated in nature’s embrace.
Instinct plays a significant role in Swati’s artistic process. She trusts her instincts when selecting colors, using different textures, and balancing her compositions. Instinct guides her on this special journey of creation, determining when to paint with her hands or incorporate specific techniques.
Her passion for art has been ingrained in her since childhood, and during the crisis of the COVID-19 pandemic, she found solace in painting. Swati’s worldview has been shaped by her personal struggles and the inspiration she draws from her environment. Her paintings reflect abstract expressionism and each hold a unique story.
Swati’s artwork showcases her distinctive style and textual techniques. Through her paintings, she aims to provide her audience with fresh and subjective ways of experiencing and embracing different emotions. Every painting carries a common thread of light, symbolizing hope, positivity, and purity—an essence that also resonates in her life.
Music plays a significant role in Swati’s artistic process. Whether it’s the rhythm that influences her brushstrokes or the lyrics that inspire her contemplation, her paintings are often connected to music. The rhythm and melodies guide her wrist movements and contribute to the final outcome of her artwork.
For Swati, art is a form of catharsis and self-therapy. She feels liberated when she paints, experiencing relief in her mind, body, and soul. As a young woman immersed in the world she inhabits, she is shaped by the system she is part of. Her paintings go beyond depicting the world she sees and the emotions she feels; they depict a future world she aspires to create—a world free from violence, fear, chaos, and conflict. Swati’s vision is one filled with hope, purity, love, light, and dreams.
When: June 8 to 15
Where: Annexe Gallery Lodhi Road New Delhi