Power of femininity

What is feminine energy The concept of feminine energy is often misunderstood and considered inferior to its masculine counterpart. Artist Shampa Sircar Das uses a synthesis of philosophy, aesthetics and technique to celebrate the power of femininity in her latest solo exhibition titled ‘Devi’.

On display are around 25 works of varied sizes exploring supreme divinity, power and liberation. Talking about the series, Shampa says, “I believe there is so much conflict, imbalance and upheaval in this world due to the overflowing masculine energy that we need feminine energy to bring back balance. This energy takes a wide variety of forms, including nature, creation, life force, movement, mind, strength, as well as the power to dominate or destroy.”

Devi as a concept in itself is beautiful, benevolent and full of knowledge, compassion, and desire, explains the artist and adds, “In today’s world understanding levels of energies also takes us beyond the association of femininity with gender. All the transformative forces within our mind and heart can cleanse our mental and emotional bodies and put us in touch with the protective powers and deeply change the way we see the world.”

Shampa uses a synthesis of philosophy, aesthetics and technique to create her own language on the canvas. According to her, symbols fascinate her, as they have a language of their own and encompass the power of silence within them. “I did not want to represent each goddess in their typical attributes. I have used elements and colour for association. The technique is influenced by the philosophy. I start with patches of colour. These patches come together and after layering of colours, the painting emerges as a homogenous whole. Just like our life is made of several incidences, these paintings are a result of these patches and layering,” shares Shampa.

She continues, “The colours in my paintings are juxtaposed to construct a range of hues that sedate and inspire a quiet meditative mood. And as the work progresses it becomes more aesthetic and less of an idea and the vision starts getting clearer, layer by layer.”

Her works are inspired by her travel and reading. “Being a Bengali, Devi has been an integral part of my life. This also led me to create this series. Also, my travel to various parts of India makes me see and experience the smallest of things radiating with energy. When I come back to my studio my canvas reflects this,” Shampa says.

In her painting titled ‘Lakshmi’, the artist uses the elephant, image of the goddess, lotus, and a pair of fish to depict personification of prosperity, wealth, well-being and harmony. Goddess Kali is depicted in a dancing form with red hibiscus flower and a yantra. “Most of the paintings here embody the energies of creation and dissolution. If you look at Saraswati, I have used the white lotus, the swan representing the power of discrimination guiding us to take the positive in life and leave out the negative,” explains the artist.

Adding to the point, Anu Bajaj, the curator of the exhibition, says, “The artworks talk about the female principle, not just as a larger than life goddess but as an idea or an energy denoting or idealising different virtues or facets of human nature. Whether it is Durga symbolised by courage or Saraswati by learning or Lakshmi with wealth or Kali denoting creation.”