Experience Meera Agarwal's visionary journey in Gallery B, as she connects with the ancient South Indian practice of Kolam. Her stunning artworks weave tradition and innovation, celebrating cultural heritage and artistic expression.
Join us for the Reception and Artist Talk:
September 21st from 1 - 3 PM.
Common Threads: Connecting with Kolam
Kolams were my earliest introduction to art and I was an avid participant in Kolam and Rangoli (another similar floor art form) competitions throughout elementary school in India. I resumed practicing this art form more closely in 2019 and decided to give them centerstage on canvas during Covid.
Created as a response to the covid pandemic in 2020, my Kolam/Connections series of paintings is based on the South Indian traditional art form, Kolam and is my reflection on human connectedness. A daily pre-dawn ritual of women drawn freehand at thresholds of homes in South India, these are math-based geometric line compositions drawn (with rice flour) symmetrically on a grid of dots. There are various theories about the significance of Kolams - an auspicious welcoming feature, an ode to Mother Earth, to ward off evil, a symbolic “charity begins at home” gesture as ants, bugs and birds feed on the rice flour, and so on. I view the infinite loops & crossing points of the kolam as a metaphor that we humans are all “connected” in shared experiences of joy, pain, healing.
With this exhibit, I am sharing my culture and the symbolism that we're all braided together and are part of one race - the human race. Similar floor art forms are practiced all over India. My practice of Kolams led me to research this topic in depth and I have learned that similar art forms even exist all over the world! I have also learned that Kolam’s repeating patterns are studied in computational anthropology, algorithm research and more.
About Meera
Meera Agarwal is a Westchester (NY) artist & art instructor. Meera has a keen eye for both representational and abstract forms and creates vibrant paintings in oil, acrylic, and mixed media. Meera's art is regularly featured in prominent exhibits across the tri-state area. She is also a certified Art-o-Mat artist, contributing to art vending machines nationwide. Recently, she expanded into public art with Rye Arts Center’s Rye’sAbove butterfly installation and contributed to the Rye Poetry Path. In May 2024 she became the first recipient of The Rye Arts Center’s Visionary Artist Award for her inspirational paintings as well as her commitment to uplifting the arts in the community.
Meera's paintings are currently also featured in a solo exhibit at the Rye City Hall as part of The Rye Arts Center's "Artist Showcase at Rye City Hall" partnership until November 2024.
Meera volunteers with nonprofits like the Rye Arts Center (NY), Jay Heritage Center (NY) and the India Cultural Center of Greenwich (CT). Meera’s art can be found in home collections globally. Meera holds a Bachelors in Management Studies from the Birla Institute of Technology & Science (BITS), Pilani, India, and a Masters in Corporate & Public Communications from Seton Hall University, New Jersey.
Artist Statement
“My paintings are inspired by places, people and our collective stories. I’m equally inspired by nature and everyday marvels of colors, textures and light effects that we experience. My story is definitely a tale of two states (of mind) - my life as an American and my Indian roots. I paint as a response to a spontaneous feeling or sheer beauty of a subject, and that is reflected in my choice of diverse subjects, style, techniques and composition. Invariably some paintings tend to have a connection to the verve and vibrancy of India. Through my abstract and representational paintings, I strive to evoke an emotional and introspective experience for viewers. Each brushstroke and color choice is an expression of my inner world, translating intangible thoughts and emotions into tangible visual forms. In my abstract works, I explore the interplay of shapes, lines, and textures to create a sense of movement and depth. These pieces invite viewers to embark on a personal journey, where they can discover their own interpretations and connections. I embrace the freedom of abstraction, allowing the intuitive process to guide me, and embracing the unexpected as a catalyst for creativity. In contrast, my representational paintings capture the essence of tangible subjects, be it landscapes, still life, or human figures. Through meticulous observation and deliberate composition, I seek to convey the beauty and intricacies of the world around us. Every stroke and color choice is intentional, aiming to ignite a sense of familiarity and connection in the viewer. My work is a reflection of the duality inherent in our existence—the interplay between the tangible and the intangible, the known and the unknown. It is an exploration of the multifaceted nature of human experience, inviting viewers to pause, reflect, and find their own narratives within the layers of each piece. Ultimately, my goal is to create a visual language that transcends words and resonates with the viewer's emotions, memories, and imagination. I hope my paintings serve as a medium for introspection, allowing individuals to find solace, inspiration, and a renewed sense of wonder in the interplay of abstraction and representation." - Meera Agarwal
Press
Rye Art Center’s Visionary Artist Award Recipient Showcases Artwork Across Rye, River Journal News, Aug 1, 2024