Seema Kohli's Art: A Journey Within and Without

Veteran artist Seema Kohli returns to Chennai with "Where Earth Writes Upon the Sky," a month-long solo exhibition at Lalit Kala Akademi. This showcase, curated by Shaunak Mahbubani, features a comprehensive collection of paintings, sculptures, video art, performance pieces, and installations. The works delve into the artist's continuous exploration of "the landscape within my body and outside my body," drawing profound inspiration from nature and the concept of prakriti to articulate themes of continuity, renewal, and interiority.

Inspired by Khalil Gibran's poetic imagery of trees reaching towards the sky, the exhibition interprets these natural forms as metaphors for artistic expression and connection to the celestial. Kohli emphasizes the living nature of her imagery, noting how concepts fluidly transition across different mediums and dimensions while retaining their core essence. This exhibition marks a significant point in her artistic journey, reflecting a quarter-century of consistent conceptualization that has deepened with enhanced detailing and a transformed use of color.

Kohli hopes that each visitor finds a personal resonance within her art, acknowledging the subjective beauty of artistic interpretation. The exhibition offers a multifaceted experience, inviting viewers to contemplate the sacred feminine, the persistence of memory, and the intricate ecologies that shape artistic practice. It represents a nuanced continuation of her lifelong artistic inquiry, now presented with refined visual language.