SHAILEY SHAH

Introduce yourself.

I'm a multidisciplinary artist, and that's an important part of who I am. My love for exploring different mediums like sculpture, painting, and video allows me to express my creativity in diverse ways.

How do you relate to the theme of 'release'?

I'm really passionate about this theme because it aligns with my experiences growing up in an Indian household and how they contrast with my life now. The pressure of conforming to societal norms, particularly around marriage, is a powerful concept to explore. It's a way for me to share my perspective on the different cultural expectations I've encountered.

My parents have been quite understanding about my choices regarding marriage. While they do hope for it, they're not imposing their desires on me. This balance between tradition and personal freedom is a crucial aspect of my journey.

Use of different Media:

My creative process centers around color, form, and texture. These elements resonate with me due to my Indian background, where vibrant colors are a significant part of our culture. By mentioning how I translate this into different mediums, I'm able to show how my art is deeply connected to my heritage.

Project "Skins":

"Skins" is a project that's deeply personal to me. My art is a way for me to engage in conversations about how women are depicted and objectified globally. The themes I explore in my work are not unique to India; they're prevalent in many societies. By raising awareness through my art, I hope to contribute to a broader understanding of these issues. It's not just about the physical skin but also the layers of identity and perception we carry. Through this project, I want to challenge the objectification of women and the way society views us. The technique I've developed for creating these textured layers adds a unique dimension to the concept.

Motivation to Create:

For me, creating art is a way to give life to my ideas and express my thoughts. Nature serves as a wellspring of inspiration for my work, even though my creations might be abstract. My imagination drives me to experiment with forms and textures, and this intrinsic motivation fuels my artistic journey.

Positioning as a woman in the artworld:

Being a woman in the art world comes with its challenges. Despite the progress we've made, there's still a long way to go in terms of gender equality. I see myself as part of a broader movement where women are breaking barriers and pushing for equal recognition in the art industry.