Artist Statement

As a first generation Indian American, I am continuously exploring the dual discourse between my Indian ancestry and my contemporary American experience. Through the languages of post-minimalism and abstract expressionism, I am interested in examining the elements of my cultural background to create organic forms that allude to history, time, natural forces and lost cultures. Deconstructing the notion of fixed identity through materials and process, I aim to reconstruct a version of self that transcends cultural traces and simultaneously magnifies them. I work with materials such as ghee, dirt, sequins, glitter, Indian rangoli powder, salt and rice to evoke the sensuality, spirituality, and social connotations of everyday life in India. In a step to move outside of my experience, I am interested in investigating various self-identified social and religious communities to further examine the understanding of identity in the global twenty-first century, as well as the psychological and emotional conditions of immigrant experiences within America.

Bio:

Born in Decatur, GA, USA, Summer of 1980

Group Exhibitions

2009 “Whitney’s Biennial,” c.r.e.a.m. projects, Brooklyn, NY
2009 “FIGMENT*,” Governor’s Island, New York, NY
2009 “Queens Sky,” Local Project, Long Island City, NY
2008 “Made Home,” Current Gallery, Baltimore, MD
2007 “Excavating Motherhood,” Brooklyn Artist Gym, Brooklyn, NY
2007 “Bits and Pieces: The Collage Impulse,” Lehman College Art Gallery, Bronx, NY
2003 “The Wild Bunch,” White Box, Annex Gallery, New York, NY
2003 “Salon da Bronx,” Storage Art Space, Bronx, NY
2001 “Drawing the Figure,” School of Visual Arts, New York, NY
2000 “Fine Arts Foundation Review,” Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, NY

Education

2004 B.F.A in Studio Art School of Visual Arts, New York, NY

Residencies

July 2007 Painting and Mixed Media Program School of Visual Arts, New York, NY

Other Activities

2006 Fractions: A Fractional Gift
          Commissioned by the Association of Art Museum Directors for James K. Ballinger,
          Director, Phoenix Art Museum, Phoenix, AZ
2005 Euphonious Krater
          Commissioned by the Association of Art Museum Directors for Mary Sue Sweeny Price,
          Director, Newark Museum, Newark, NJ