Heeral Trivedi

Arti Mehta talks to Heeral Trivedi about contemporary Indian art and her own works:

Your point of reference is reflections of your life. Comment.
My work shoots of from the same concerns and areas of my interest where the dominant images are of women and her activities. My recent works are about women who rose for the need of the moment regardless of who or what they were like the common women...

Arti Mehta talks to Heeral Trivedi about contemporary Indian art and her own works:

Your point of reference is reflections of your life. Comment.
My work shoots of from the same concerns and areas of my interest where the dominant images are of women and her activities. My recent works are about women who rose for the need of the moment regardless of who or what they were like the common women who came forward to play an important and influential role, which changed the course of our social history. In these works I am acknowledging the feminine aspects of the woman (that of being a daughter, mother, sister and wife) as well as her strong nature and her need to assert herself. By giving my paintings a map format (after looking at old Indian maps), I am trying to make pathways for her and charting out her journey. I think of the woman as universal and she is often traveling within herself.

I move along with life. Phases of life like motherhood and nurturing, common enough to all women also found place in my work as I passed through those stages in life. Each experience provides space for emotions and reactions. The realization of something in the true sense comes only when that incident occurs. I am not a feminist in the sense that I blow the horn for equality, suppression etc. A lot of those issues are better expressed and achieved by social activists. I react to stories of women that I read about, their own struggles, marginalized in the society, living an existence in a family where their personal desires are taken for granted. I acknowledge these women who don't speak up for themselves and several of my paintings centers around such women who don't choose a situation but are what and who they are because of social suppression and circumstances.

Since your works are primarily autobiographical do you see yourself as a one of the women in India or as a symbol?
I don't think my works or me can ever fully justify the inner strength of a woman and also these works speak for my gender as a whole and are not classified by geographic distinctions. A story that I hear on Oprah Winfrey show may stay on with me for months till I see it appear on some painting of mine or it could very well be a show on the local Gujarati channel. So in that sense my works are universal and may be triggered by books, media, places as well as my personal experiences. I see myself in most of the works - this is because eventually I paint what I believe. I react to the outside from inside. I respond to everything through myself. As it is said, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.

How important is it for you to go beyond a current state of mind/subject?
To move ahead just happens. New things happen and their influence and repercussions are bound to find a place in my work. Certain things stay with you and new things naturally add on.

While creating a painting where and how do you normally begin?
I usually start with the surface. Before I start a painting the ideas are in me. I may place and remove the images while building the surface. I enjoy creating a transparent effect allowing everything to be seen through. Colors with which I begin are not necessary what I end with. One often reaches a level in a painting, which demands changes and that is a part of the process. Each effort counts since it helps build up the painting.

Preferred media
Presently I am working with mixed media on canvas and board. Though I have worked in oils earlier and still incorporate them in my canvases, the usage of acrylics came up 3 years ago. It is a new age medium offers a lot of possibilities as long as you learn to manipulate it. Experimenting with the application of sequins on my paintings also intrigues me.

The text that accompanies your images on the canvas often leads the viewer.
In most of my works I do have a story somewhere. I don't make a complete plan as far as choice and placement of images is concerned though I do have a perception regarding what I want to portray. I do begin with an idea but nothing is fixed. And in the process of creation some writing comes along in the form of a short verse or essay and then it forms an integral part of the painting. This could be either in the form of the title or a short inscription on the work itself like in "She's like an island".

How would you describe your works?
Although this is better answered by a viewer/critic than the artist, I would say that there is continuity in my works beginning right from my earliest paintings. The driving force remains the same in all my works. Certain criteria can be visible throughout like the feeling of transparency in my paintings, fluidity, which is a part of my nature. Accidental variations executed also work. To consciously put myself in a closed area is something that would not happen. My works are breathing as far as space is concerned and yet there are objects that give it a ground

What would you consider the natural course of progression in your work over the years?
Stitching, weaving and other down to earth objects and images are what I can relate to and these images keep coming and going. I want to continue to experiment in the creation of surfaces. Acrylic allows reworking and I can see myself using the medium for a while. I also plan to see how I can incorporate different mediums in my art.

Who and what has been a major influence?
No one in particular. I appreciate several artists' work and like the way they use different techniques. Images come often from photographs. Some also from miniatures, as in Jain miniatures because I like their roughness or even from folk art or Murshidabad "Pat". Old maps are of interest to me. I take what I feel is of interest like the different use of color and surface.

Do you believe that modern artist has a social responsibility towards society?
Speaking for myself, I think that there is a role because when you make a decision to be a contemporary modern artist, one claims not to fall prey to traditional and commercial norms. So you can say something that is universal or even give a message. An artist is not an activist but he is a reactor and has the power to speak through a visual language. If he claims that he works for the society and of the society, then he has to be sincere towards that commitment. I feel that I am in this profession and am socially responsible to my viewers. Art is not meant just to adorn the walls. However, I feel that for a sincere artist, art is primarily created to please himself first and then the viewer, as that is the factor, which leads his work and tells the artist when the work is completed. Only when a painting has visually satisfied me first am I ready to display it