Another week brings another promising art event in its wake. This time, the city of Delhi welcomes artist Dahlia Aggarwal who will be showcasing her solo exhibition of paintings called ‘Esoteric Conscience’ at Galerie Romain Rolland, Alliance Francaise de Delhi from 28 to 31 May. The show is presented by Gallery Sree Arts and will focus on Aggarwal’s study of the spiritual meanings of shapes. It has been curated by Jitendra Padam Jain, who has selected works from the artist’s oeuvre that best represent her unending passion for the divine.
Painting by Dahlia Aggarwal.
Dahlia Aggarwal and Jitendra Padam Jain.
Painting by Dahlia.
Another artwork of Dahlia.
Jain is the founder of Gallery Sree Arts and JJ Sanskriti School of Visual Arts, Gurugram. He is an artist and curator of renown, as well as an avid art collector and gallerist. He holds a Masters in Fine Arts from the Jamia Millia Islamia in Delhi. Having witnessed the struggle of young artists at a personal level, he decided to support talent under the Gallery Sree Arts banner.
Aggarwal was trained as a digital designer with a focus on mathematics and analogues. Hence, her body of work contains symmetry that represents mystical concepts, where sacred geometry acts as an antidote to the harshness and noise of the world. She says, “I was acquainted with art at a very young age by my mother, who is the most creative soul I know. Throughout my schooling, I met many wonderful teachers and individuals who encouraged my talent and gave me significant opportunities to hone my skills. I would say that most of my art education took place while I was preparing for art competitions. However, I was also equally intrigued by math and computer science. Eventually, I went to the US for my undergraduate education where I pursued a B.Sc. in Informatics with a specialisation in HCID (Human Computer Interaction Design) from Indiana University, Bloomington. Even though my curiosity led me to explore and experiment with diverse career opportunities from computer science to designing, creativity and art persisted as influences in all my experiences. So, I returned home and after a short stint at a design firm, set up my art studio here in New Delhi.”
Jain felt drawn to Aggarwal’s evocative artworks. He says, “Her pieces incorporate the study of the spiritual meanings of shapes. Art and spirituality have always had a close relationship. Sacred geometry espouses the idea that everything is connected and that patterns are prevalent everywhere in nature. The use of such patterns in art goes back at least 4,000 years and it was believed such forms helped connect people to the transcendent and eternal realm. Dahlia’s artistic expressions also build on the relationship between spirituality and healing.”
Aggarwal adds that art is a cathartic process that is enabled through empathy, iteration, and dialogue. Colours, textures, shapes, and patterns have a subtle and subconscious effect on our mind and body, shaping our feelings and emotions. Some basic shapes and patterns are present around us at all times, especially in nature and architecture. It was her search for the origin and meaning behind these shapes that led her to the mystical world of sacred geometry. Once she was in it, there was no turning back. This exhibition is inspired by her trysts with sacred geometry.
“Owing to my background in interaction design, the study of how people connect with and experience design has always fascinated me. When I started working on this collection, I knew I wanted to create art that allowed the viewer to have an experience which was unique to them and their story. An esoteric conversation, so to speak. I believe art is an esoteric space—it’s beyond form, beyond convention, and beyond limitation. I do not want to confine my art to any one thing or one feeling,” explains Aggarwal.
As this was Jain’s first foray into the sphere of sacred geometry, he found the experience quite challenging initially. Yet, after working with Aggarwal on it, he began to thoroughly enjoy it. For Aggarwal too, the experience was an intense one of self-discovery and learning. She credits Jain as being a great mentor to her through this time and she hopes to continue her research on sacred geometry while experimenting with texture, form, and mediums.
Next on the cards for Jain is a coffee table art book showcasing artists from around the world. He highlights, “The gallery has invested a lot into promoting the works of emerging and contemporary artists. I judge an artist’s works based on their concept, creativity, and passion toward art. Some artists are not trained yet, but their brilliant ideas and creativity shine through. Fortunately, art is no longer restricted to painting on traditional mediums—from paper to canvas, architecture to computers, it is all around us, and takes many forms today. I just love this energy in contemporary art.”
Noor Anand Chawla pens lifestyle articles for various publications and her blog www.nooranandchawla.com. She can be reached on nooranand@gmail.com.