Rajkumari Sharma Tankha
Dahlia Aggarwal, 25, got acquainted with art at a very young age, courtesy her mother Monica Aggarwal. The teachers at her school (Springdales School, Dhaula Kuan, New Delhi) encouraged her, helped her hone her skills. “I would say that most of my art education happened preparing for art competitions that I regularly participated in,” says this resident of Bijwasan, Delhi.
After school, Aggarwal went to the US where she pursued a BSc in Informatics with a specialisation in HCID (Human Computer Interaction Design) from Indiana University, Bloomington. Post that, she experiment with diverse career opportunities from computer science to designing, but creativity and art followed her everywhere she went. The result: She came back home and after a short stint at a design firm, set up her art studio, and that’s where she likes to spend most of her time now.
Esoteric Conscience, which begins on May 29, is her first exhibition. Her exhibiting artworks incorporate the study of spiritual meanings of shapes, the sacred geometry, which for her is an antidote to the surrounding noise. In a way, these works build on the relationship between spirituality and healing, “Circles represent a never-ending loop, oneness. Triangles symbolise balance and harmony between the mind, the body, and the spirit. Squares represent solid foundations. The spiral is thought of as the physical manifestation of energy flows,” she says. Excerpts from an interview:
So, you always want to be an artist… Any family connect?
I always wanted to be in a creative field, but being an artist always felt like a distant dream. My mother is my biggest source of inspiration and motivation. She is a Textile Designer, and, for me, the most creative soul I know.
Interestingly, my grandmother, Asha Aggarwal, was a woman of many talents, art being one of them. Even though I never had the opportunity to meet her, I could feel her presence through her paintings that adorn the walls of our house. Her newspaper wrapped art books have always been a great source of knowledge and intrigue for me. My most prized possession is my grandmother’s wooden easel, which is almost 40 years old which is still as good as new!
Tell us something about your forthcoming exhibition.
It is inspired by my trysts with sacred geometry. It took me almost two years to complete these 30 artworks made using acrylic on canvas.
Esoteric Conscience, the title, means having an open mindset to things that seem out of our knowledge or control but are inherent to us. There is a secret order of how our universe works. We don’t have a slightest clue about how it all works – how the stars float in the sky, the transformation of elements in nature and just the magic of our world. Some basic shapes and patterns are ever present all around us, especially in nature and architecture. My search for the origin and meaning behind them led me to the mystical world of sacred geometry. Once I was in it, there was no turning back.
What explains your interest in spiritualism?
For me, spirituality is having a deeper understanding of myself and the role I play in the collective unconscious. I think it’s a timeless journey, which keeps evolving as we grow through experiences and circumstances. This exhibition is my effort at trying to understand and decode the genesis of the world as we know it.
How does it feel to have a physical show after two long years of pandemic?
I started working towards this exhibition right after the first lockdown. It’s been a long and eager wait, gratifying nonetheless.
How do you view online shows?
It’s definitely an exciting space especially with the metaverse gaining momentum. I think metaverse is where the real opportunity lies and one can really experiment whether as an artist, a curator, a gallerist or even a collector.
I haven’t hosted an online show yet but would love to explore the medium when the right opportunity or idea arises.
Which one do you prefer –offline or online show, and why
Offline, in all likeliness. Nothing can replace the experience of connecting with art in person. While online may have been a necessity in recent times, traditional art exhibitions are irreplaceable in my opinion.
AT: Galerie Romain Rolland, Alliance Francaise de Delhi, New Delhi
FROM: May 28-31, 11am to 7pm
