ART INDEX

Priyanka Banerjee 

“Challenges are what make life interesting and overcoming them is what makes life meaningful.”

 — Anonymous

Corona virus pandemic has plunged the working world, moving at a jet speed, into an unprecedented crisis. This never-ending crisis has posed many challenges in the health sector, economy, tourism and so on. Of all myriad challenges, the most pertinent one is maintaining mental well-being.

This pandemic has left us with dual options to come out either bitter or better. Post-lockdown, life is limping back to normalcy. But with no vaccines available so far to end the deadly virus, things are far from being normal.

In this situation of uncertainty, expression of art comes naturally. As an art curator, I think art comes handy in managing stress through imagery and creativity. It is like a meditative and therapeutic tool that de-stresses anyone attempting art.

I have been brought up in a family where there is an immense influence of Hindu Gods and Goddesses. In these trying times, mankind again looks up to the Almighty to bless them with strength and courage to tide over the crisis.

Making paintings on the theme of “spirituality” provides me with the much-needed bliss and inmate happiness; my mental muse being Goddess Durga, Lord Ganesha and Lord Krishna.

It’s believed that Goddess Durga had saved the inhabitants of earth from the atrocities of a buffalo headed demon named Mahisasura. For me, she remains an eternal epitome of positivity, strength and power. Lord Ganesha and Lord Krishna inspire and motivate me to remain optimist and brave during hard times.

Our objective during the pandemic, should be to utilise the time in a fruitful way and bring out the best within us. We should emerge as better and reformed individuals who are ready to take on the challenges of life most audaciously.

Various mediums like water colour on paper, acrylic on canvas, mix media on paper and ink on paper have been used in the paintings. Hope my paintings send a positive message to everyone. Amidst our turbulent lives today, let us remember that “Greater the obstacle, more the glory in overcoming it.”

Priyanka is an art curator and art critic