Gaya Chandrasekaran

My artworks are based on the themes of Quest, Soliloquy, Rebirth and Nirvana. These themes reflect key life moments and are an expression of my thoughts, emotions, sensations, and experiences. As I reflect on and synthesize my experiences, floodgates open for new creative ideas. I record these ideas...

My artworks are based on the themes of Quest, Soliloquy, Rebirth and Nirvana. These themes reflect key life moments and are an expression of my thoughts, emotions, sensations, and experiences. As I reflect on and synthesize my experiences, floodgates open for new creative ideas. I record these ideas and refer to them for inspiration. I am strongly influenced by the exuberant colors and patterns of my childhood home in India.

I start my canvas with an idea of what I’d like to see, not entirely sure of the end result. I prime the surface, create broad outlines of shapes, and arrange the color palette for ready use. I then let the process take over and evolve. When I use images as reference, I tend to use their abstracted versions as a starting point. I work extensively with acrylics. Creating textured art is an intensely tangible experience that brings the artwork alive for me. I use palette knives for layering and mixing heavy body acrylics with gel mediums. I also use gold leaf quite regularly as I am drawn to the color of gold, a powerful symbol of abundance. I continue working until I feel excitement and can embrace the artwork unconditionally. The whole process consistently feels cathartic, infusing me with a deep sense of joy and fulfillment.

I have come to realize that much of individual experience is shared. I intend to give voice to such universal experiences and themes. These include our search for meaning, the constant inner dialogue, endings and beginnings, and the spiritual lessons - some more poignant and difficult - that we learn throughout our lives.