In search of her identity Artist Neha Majithia’s works combine Bollywood imagery, Hindu mythology and European influences

In search of her identity

Artist Neha Majithia’s works combine Bollywood imagery, Hindu mythology and European influences

Artist Neha Majithia, a master’s graduate from Parsons The New School for design is all set to showcase her first solo exhibition in Mumbai today. Titled Beauty Matters, the artist says this was her urge to “find my identity aka skin, colour, culture, etc. The answer to the question: Who am I?” Talking about the title, she says, “It’s a metaphor, signifying the orientation of my art work, revolving around the practices and implications of beauty. Finding new meanings of beauty, sexuality, religion, culture and influence in today’s world.” Her work reflects how the influence of imagery of hand-painted Bollywood film posters, comic books, Hindu mythological iconography as well as 20th century European portraiture and fairytales and contemporary visual culture play a vital role in the creation of her art works. With reference to her previous works, she feels that it lacked the recognition of one’s identity. “Breaking away from the shell opened up new questions of identity and comparisons between various cultures; creating a fertile ground for cross-cultural art practices, that was not so in the past,” she adds. This exhibit is also her way of critiquing look consciousness that’s prevalent among the people of major cities in India, and the increasing western influence that suggests slimming and beauty go hand in hand. However, Neha says her art is for art’s sake. “I don’t quite believe that every art piece or collection of work needs to have a meaning or underlying connotations or commentary about the society. It is very difficult and impractical to talk about a country like India and its direction towards traditionalism as it doesn’t only consist of metropolitan cities,” says the artist who is visibly excited to be showing in Mumbai after her last show at Kitchen Gallery, New York. As for her future exhibits she says, “Let’s see what direction the work takes me. The immigrant thinks and the artist paints.” sanaya.chavda@dnaindia.net