I didnt know I had the gift of art

BANGALORE: Art has nurtured a melange of feelings that lie within us. Providing our existence with meaning and depth, it has often led to a higher understanding of life in general. With multihued abstract patterns, radiant colours and compelling emotions, artists often divulge their hidden emotions through art. Likewise, abstract expressionism opened our minds to the infinite possibilities of creation and interpretation. Through this particular style, an artist has always exhibited extensive creativity with respect to mastering the art of subtlety. “Abstract art gives me the opportunity to explore open mindedness on the canvas. Each and every individual can derive new meaning from a given piece. In fact, that is the beauty of art in general. No one is bound to anyone’s point of view,” said artist Shereen Abraham who exhibited some of her works at Renaissance Art Gallery recently. Sharing a profound fascination for colours, the artist’s work restored a sense of balance and harmony. For instance, in Innocence of Passion and The Stepping Stones to a Brighter Future, Shereen dabbled with spheres of diversity and intricacy. As dark colours smoldered and burst into vivid and slightly bolder ones, one could observe the sporadic nature of her art work. City Express catches up with the talented artist to find out more about her journey with art.Tell us about your latest collection.This collection is titled My Colours of Life. The paintings basically reflect my journey embracing life. They are like stepping stones to a brighter future. I have tried to discover my true identity through my paintings. For instance, Windows of Opportunity speak volumes about all those aspects of life which otherwise look mundane to our eyes.You use a lot of bold colours in your work. How do you define colours?I have always believed that colours are therapeutic. When I look at bright colours, it makes me happy. It is amazing how each colour conveys a certain emotion. That is probably why when I paint I am always happy and energised. I try to experiment with different media which sometimes opens a whole new world of possibilities for me.■ What inspires you to be an artist?I believe that experience is one of life’s best teachers. An artist can find inspiration in everything around him or her. The vibrant mix of the various ‘colours of life’ entices me and inspires me to create art. In fact, I channel my identity and emotions through my paintings. Sometimes, I find myself communicating with the entire world through art. ■ Do you think the canvas enables you to share your story?Absolutely. I have tried my hand at everything but I spend most of my time with the canvas. I am in love with paintings that are visually stimulating and have several distinct layers to it. That would be the definition of ‘poetry on canvas.’ I didn’t even know I had the gift of art. There is no method to it. I used to paint realistic work before. I tried abstract just to know what it would feel like and I got stuck with it. I can’t go back now. It gives me a lot of freedom to express myself.Consisting of solid colours and stripes, your work seems to lean towards minimalism. How would you define your art?Well, I haven’t really defined my work with respect to a genre yet. I paint from my heart. I do not really paint with an intention. I have a fairly good idea of what I want to paint but sometimes along the way the painting takes a new course and changes into something different. As an artist, I know when a painting is complete when it talks to me. For instance with abstract work, one could keep adding new layers but there will always come a point when you know it is done.How important is art to our existence today?I think art establishes that connection we have with one another. It gives me hope and strength. Personally, it provides me with the opportunity to explore new ideas. However, there are times when I tend to lose myself completely in art. For instance, I have a painting called Mixed Emotions at home. I had painted that particular piece during a ‘transition phase’ of my life.