Bharati Shah

Rachna Singh, Editor, The Wise Owl talks to Bharati Shah, an Ahmedabad-based artist whose focus is on abstract painting. An expression of her soul, Bharati Shah's art is inspired by colors and forms. A circle in her work is her Muse. A self-learnt prolific painter, Bharati has been painting since over two decades. She likes to experiment with various forms of painting. Along with a B.A. (Economics and Commerce) and a Diploma in Dangerous Goods Regulations Act as well as in Human Resource Management, she is also a pro at gardening. A multi-lingual, with a creative mind to showcase her works; she has participated in solo and group exhibitions nationally and internationally. Her amazing works in oils, watercolours, acrylic, I-Pad, glass, wood, etc. bring out the best in many homes and government offices in India, USA, Germany, United Kingdom and Australia.

 

Thank you Bharati for taking time out to talk with The Wise Owl. It  was a pleasure to meet and talk to you at World Art Dubai. It is our pleasure to bring your creativity and work to our readers through this interview.

 

RS: You hold academic qualifications in Law, Economics and Commerce from Mumbai University, as well as diplomas in Human Resource Management and the Dangerous Goods Regulations Act—fields that seem worlds apart from fine art. What inspired your transition into painting, and how do you think your diverse academic and professional background contributes to your artistic perspective, especially as a self-taught artist?

 

BS: There is a difference between what you want to do and what you do. It takes a long time for a person to realise the same.  I did what was expected of me in the earlier stages of my life but I was always passionate about painting even as a child. I was drawn to it and it gave me lot of joy and satisfaction. In course of life, I learnt a few things about myself: I prefer to work alone, no 9:00-5:00 hours for me. I didn’t want to be away from my home, I was ready to work 12-14 hours a day. So, painting worked perfectly for me.

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My education though diverse, has given me a very distinct clarity of mind and confidence. Other than family obligations, I do not let anything stop me from doing my work. It has taught me discipline, honesty and organising my life and work.

 

 

RS: Your paintings are often celebrated for their vibrant colour palette and the emotional resonance they create. There’s something both liberating and precise in your use of colour—it feels instinctive yet deliberate. Could you walk us through your process of choosing colours for a new piece? Do you use colour to reflect a particular mood, energy, or even healing? Is it your emotional compass while painting?

 

BS: I always start a new painting in the morning. Night before, my mind keeps on churning for a perfect palette that I have not already used. Before I sit down on my chair, I can clearly see what colours I want to experiment with! It is instinctive but deliberate too. The palette may also depend upon my mood. It helps in calming my mind, transporting me to a different space. I do not follow any rules. I follow my heart. I find it freeing, liberating.

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Being an Indian, I am surrounded by bright vibrant colours. Our food, clothes, our flowers, birds and our summers! I am inspired by all the colours available to us on a platter! It is very easy to get influenced by our surroundings.

 

RS: You’ve spoken of art as a form of healing, not just for the viewer, but for the artist herself. Can you delve into what this healing process has looked like for you personally over the years? Were there moments in your life—perhaps during challenging phases—where painting served as a sanctuary, helping you to express what couldn’t be put into words?

 

BS: Painting has always been my sanctuary; I have always turned to it to heal myself. Once I start painting, I distance myself from whatever is bothering me. I am an introvert and a loner so working by myself and expressing my feelings through my work has been easier for me. I don’t remember getting bored or needing company. I enjoy my own company and love doing something constructive. I remember waking up in the middle of the night and painting while my family was asleep! That was my me- time.

 

RS: From oils and acrylics to iPad art, glass, and even wooden canvases and Italian linen—your ability to move fluidly between media is remarkable. What draws you to explore such varied surfaces and styles? Do you choose a medium based on the subject, the emotion you're channelling, or is it a spontaneous decision? Is there a particular medium you return to when you're most yourself?

 

BS: I always wanted to learn it all, wanted to get the feel of it. So, whenever I got the chance, I made an extra effort and stole some time for myself. And as I did not formally study Fine Arts, I gathered all my knowledge from wherever I could. I never had a Guru or Mentor. I taught myself through hard work and experimenting. Sometimes you succeed and sometimes you don’t but at the end of the day you do learn some lessons! Like a rolling stone I did not want to gather moss! I mastered a few mediums and styles. During this journey, I developed a new style which may be called Cubism. My most comfortable medium is Acrylic on Linen or Canvas.

 

RS: In speaking about your artistic expression, you described discovering “a new shade” in yourself, during the course of your exhibition Metamorphosis. Did a similar transition/discovery happen for you during World Art Dubai.

 

BS: Painting was my passion but I had never dreamt of making it my profession. At some point I had a collection of paintings which I thought l could exhibit in a gallery. The thought was exciting to me! Then the shows never stopped. But I had not developed a distinct style yet. A couple of more years of hard work and shows and did find myself! That was my Metamorphosis! As a woman, I had been a daughter, wife, mother, sister. It was interesting to see myself being someone else. That was a very different shade! I saw myself being born again. A very different person. A calm, confident person who knows where she is going. World Art Dubai came much later.

 

RS: You’re not just an accomplished artist, but also a culinary connoisseur who has authored a multilingual book on spices. How do your culinary skills—your sense of layering, experimenting, and blending flavours—influence your work on canvas? Do you see a common thread of creativity and improvisation between cooking and painting?

 

BS: I think of myself as a creator. I find routine work very boring. If there is chance to create something new or different, I am most excited. Just as I understand my paints, I understand my spices! I always have a huge collection of both. Both require lot of patience and love which are the main ingredients for a masterpiece! There is nothing you can’t learn. If one person can do it, I can too! I have been like a sponge, absorbing everything that I need to know on the way.

 

RS: Your artworks have found homes across India, the USA, Germany, the UK, Australia, and the UAE—an impressive testament to their universal appeal. Do you consciously reflect on themes that resonate across cultures? Or do you feel that authenticity in self-expression naturally transcends geographic and cultural boundaries, allowing people from different backgrounds to connect with your art?

 

BS: My style of painting is purely Abstract and I generally exhibit neutrally across the continents. I feel I have to show my work to the audience, let them resonate with it. People find it very unique. On a lighter note, who knows, in another 30-40 years I might be known as the mother of this distinct style. We know that an artist ‘s work is most appreciated when she is not alive anymore. I do feel that the topography and weather of a place attracts people to different palettes. So, I do exhibit accordingly.

 

RS: Your work often features elements of cubism interpreted through a contemporary lens. What fascinates you about cubism, and how have you made it your own? In an age dominated by hyperrealism and digital art, what keeps you rooted in the abstract and fragmented forms of cubist expression?

 

BS: Each of my paintings is a picture made up of a lot of squares and rectangles.  I would like to believe that each is a box of my memories. When I am painting, I go far back in my childhood, take out a box, remember it, put it back, then take another tiny box and continue. There’s lot of love, history in each painting. It’s like going down memory lane.

 

Thank you Bharati for taking time out to talk with The Wise Owl. We wish you the very best in all your creative endeavours.