Shubha Gokhale
Shubha Gokhale is an artist whose work speaks volumes about beauty, expression and the feminine. We are moving to the age of the ‘Divine Feminine’ when each of us has to embrace the yin aspect that exists within us; whether we are a man or a woman. This exists in each of us.
Shubha’s hand painted silver jewellery collection, clothes the wearer with confidence, colour and vibrancy. Her own personality denotes these qualities and they are transcending into her creations. Shubha’s understanding of colour and local handicrafts are woven into her jewellery designs, which enhance the personality of someone of any age.
THE NAYIKA SERIES is a beautiful collection of paintings. It is a depiction of resonance with the body and how comfortable we are with ourselves. It translates in a beautiful and powerful way of love for the self.
The artist on her show: The ‘Nayika’ Series
My paintings in this series deal with the moods and emotions of a woman. Ancient Indian Scriptures classify the Heroine or the ‘Nayika’ in eight different states in relationship to her lover. They have been depicted in traditional miniature paintings, dance and drama.
My portrayal of the Nayika is a woman in love with ‘Life’. She is predominantly a ‘Virahini’ — Viraha being an expression of longing in separation. She is also an ’Abhisarika’ — a woman in love, giving up modesty and going out to meet her lover. Both these shades I could see in the poetry of Saint Meerabai, who was a married Rajput Princess in love with God Krishna. I am trying to understand Meera not as a Saint, but as a woman who lived in reality and illusion. Poetry and Music have always inspired me.
My nudes are inspired by Saint Kabir’s philosophy that the body is just a thin fabric to wrap our soul! The pain, pleasure and anguish experienced by our mind reflects and resonates only on the body. My nudes are like linear confessions of the soul. Even though the nude form is the most natural state, we cover it with layers of fabric to conceal the true state of mind, not only from others, but even from ourselves. Hence my nudes are an attempt at a transparent dialogue with oneself. These paintings are mostly in mini format done in mixed media on acrylic, with a collage in the background. The poetry that inspires me takes up a pictorial form in my work.