Beauty; paint deep

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A mélange of Hindu mythology, 20th century European imagery and present-day Bollywood glitz, Neha Majithia’s works are a mix of varied topics that represent different eras, people and thoughts. Christened ‘Beauty Matters’, her collection is an attempt at exploring one’s identity, believes the artist.

“It’s ironic how you learn so much more about your motherland once you move away from it. You have to get out of your shell to look at it,” says Neha, who moved to the US to pursue a Masters degree in fine arts. The experience has helped her get a better perception of India and she has tried to capture that in her collection which is a mix of paintings, photographs, linography, murals and videos. “The West has a certain image of the East and vice versa. For them it is synonymous with spirituality, yoga and meditation. But, the fact is that there are more yoga centers in the US than India. Likewise, for us, the West is all about fashion and style despite having some of the most fashion-conscious circles and a booming fashion industry. Blame it on media propaganda or soft power skills, the world has a certain image of other parts of the world. My works merely represent that idea,” she says, adding that she doesn’t intend to reassert or break the stereotype that has been around for ages — mainly because she believes that art does not have an agenda.
“I believe in art for art’s sake. It is merely a form of expression and observation. It loses it allure if there is an agenda,” she says.
Neha’s works can be largely described as fusion. Dominated by vibrant colours, bold prints and female figures, Neha believes they represent her zest for life and faith in the essence of womanhood. She has tried to fuse the beauty of Indian traditions with the western outlook. Describing her style of art, she says, “It is inspired by the Bollywood posters that were painted in the 70s and 80s. Vibrant, chic and playful.”