Newsletter#1 / Perspectives, practices and more
A big, warm welcome to you all! Some of you have very kindly subscribed and with some, I’ve taken the liberty of including your addresses - either way, Thank You!
I want to introduce here, my *first ever* newsletter on Substack as a newly adopted method of comms for my friends and patrons, which I hope will help me bypass the erratic algorithms of social media, instant insta-fuelled Pavlovian responses and awkward hellos.
These monthly petit letters will contain art, references, influences, events and bits of my life as I continue to build my studio practice here in London, and hope to drip-feed you with my latest and ongoing work.
The last time most of you would’ve heard from me was during my project tonavigate in March-April 2021. This was my big pandemic project. It is a culmination of notes and responses from 2020, with work made across three countries -- ending in a week-long public installation in Delhi followed by a series of some very-fun open studio sessions at my space. It was also so encouraging to see other artists and creatives share their pandemic projects over the year.
What followed (as was the case for a lot of people in India at the time) was a series of personal challenges that included grief, loss,isolation. Moving countries was next.
Now having spent time in many different places since my early years, being a bit of an explorer and reasonably adaptable – this grown up move (with husband and canvas rolls in tow) was rather stressful, unsurprisingly so, given the preceding events. Upon arrival in London in March 2022, I set out by unpacking and restocking – the usual drill, and ofcourse hunting for a new studio!
The place-response connection in my case was almost instantaneous – I went back to thinking about the figurative/ representational in my work, many more historical references and revisiting the old masters. Drawing at the National Gallery, V&A, drawing from life and sitting in parks and alleyways constituted most of my weeks and months ahead.
The Royal Drawing School have been instrumental in encouraging me to focus on my first love - drawing. Among a few other things (such as my new-found confidence to tear through London traffic on my trusty Boris-bike, drowning myself in tactile pursuits of big paintings/ big cook-outs and ofcourse films), connecting with long-lost and newly made like-minded friends definitely helped me feel more grounded and less isolated in a city that has been somewhat of a second home to me for the last 18 years.
The last 6 months have been very creatively fulfilling – several new painterly works, printmaking, drawings and a couple of exciting collaborations under my belt already. I’m loving my studio and looking forward to many new interactions here. The fog has lifted and spring has sprung!
Have a lovely weekend everyone! I’m off to a gallery hop this morning with a new group called Young Professionals in the Arts.
I cannot wait to write more and hear what you think!
Himani x
Thanks Himani, beautifully written and interesting newsletter. C