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InstinctiveartistPinkyBhattina tributetowomanhood

inkyBhatt, a Limca Bookof Records holder for her 130-foot paintingon women's empowerment titledStreeShakti, is a self-taught artist. Shedraws inspiracion from her surroundings, includingboth theUiban and ruralspaces of Sydney(Australia) and Ahmedabad (India) between which she divides her time. She paint.,; thefirst Australianswitl1 as muchelan and energy as shedoes thetribalwomen of Kutch.

Asa child,Bhaccwouldgaze atlongweaves of Kalamkari paintingsportraying scenes from the Ramayana and the N[al1abharata Ln hues of red, yellow,olive, blackandivory at her homecown in Khanpur, Ahmedabad. It is onlynatural that hercompositions reflect thesecolours. However, Bhatt refuses to restrictherpalette or style and has introducedbluesand whites,whichdepictthebmhmand (universe) and shimmerysouls respectively.

HerlacestSydneyexhibition at theTap Galleryin Darlinghurst, is entitledStm Shakti, again.

Withthcitdotted textures and patterned backdrops,Bhatt's works arereminiscent of Indian Madhubani andGondpaintings.

ForBhatt, artis norjust limited tothecanvas.She finds art everywhere aroundher,"In a salad bowl,cushions and curtains, and in namre".These are her real tutors and theyurge herto seek inspiration from within herself andpaint freelywithoutbeing overtlyconscious. Ir is perhaps because of this sincerity thac her art finds collectors fromEurope andAustraliato herhometownin Gujarat, India.

Bhatt'swomen aredetermined anddriven,merrilygoingabout theirdailychores.

''Thar is tl1eir trueshakii- their stoicism and colerancein the face of adversities,"she reiterates.

Thepenchant fordetailwith respectcoclothing,ornaments and tl1e settingprovide a context to hercanvasses, which make them easy to relate co. She spendshours in libraries to research herwomen, and wants herpaintings co reach out toaUage groups. That said, I hopeshepaint.� women of all formsand frames in future,nor restrictingherself to slender and lissomemuses as most of her canvasses exhibit.

I ask heraboutwhatisnexton thecards and she says dreamily, "To devote myself completely to art".

"Andwhatwill yourinspiration be?"I ask.

"I findmymuses everywhere," Bhattreplies.She turns her attention toward the gaHery owner andwavesa handin her ilitection, "In Leslie, for instance!" "It couldbeyoutoo,youknow" shequips at me.

RakaSarkhel