Newsletter#1 / Perspectives, practices and more

Apr 15, 2023

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.

*Fragile marked boxes in a new light* - first day at the new studio, July 2022

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.

Two views from the #tonavigate open studios. March 2021, New Delhi

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!

Drawing landscapes while walking - an extract

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my case was almost instantaneous – I went back to thinking about the figurative/ representational in my work, many more historical references and revisiting the old masters.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.

Caption this! / Extract from “Landscape with a man killed by a snake”, Nicolas Poussin, The National Gallery, London

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.

Two recent works made from observation and walking

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