"Where to Now My Beloved-II" by Meghna Singh Patpatia

About the artwork

Depicted in this ink drawing is the rendering of species being drawn to natural light, through the phenomenon of  transverse orientation. A natural progression of creatures and natural forms synergizing and adapting to manmade interventions. Their coexistence gives rise to a transformative shift titled Where to now my beloved III. It is a diptych that reflects the foliage of the ocean and mollusk shelter from which emerge two fishes reflective of the story of Noah’s ark making their way into a fluid future. A visual journey of the formation of a desert, as the ocean makes way to a more barren scape seen in the gradual progression from one panel to the other. The second panel with predominantly manmade elements like the observatory, submarine helmet and other elements all reflective of our current epoch. This artwork is part of a larger series with the same title, that follows species that adapt to diverse environments and is an ode to their strength and resilience.

About the artist

Meghna Singh Patpatia's art practice explores the study of natural formations, geological patterns through painted ink drawings on handmade paper and textile. Her other explorations include mixed mediums with glass and found objects. The painted drawings are influenced by her learnings while studying and restoring historical art. She incorporates mythical creatures and natural elements into celestial manifestations.Meghna creates a textured surface using paper pasted upon textile forming a fragile terrain. She draws patterns imitating the act of adaptation to an everchanging environment reflecting the fragility of our existence.

Meghna completed her education BFA (Major-Painting) from Sir.J.J School of Art in 2009. Followed by a Post-Graduation in Museology & Conservation studies in 2010 from the CSMVS Museum, Mumbai. More recently she completed a Post-Graduation in Art Based Therapy from Mind & Arts institute, Mumbai in 2020. Meghna has participated in the India Art Fair, 2022 in Delhi as part of a group exhibition titled Transmutations curated by Ranjit Hoskote with Art Alive gallery, Delhi. She had a solo exhibition titled A River Runs Through You at Method Art Space, Mumbai in 2020. Meghna is also an Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation Grant Awardee from Montreal, Canada in 2021 and has participated in several art residencies in Hyderabad and Kochi with Kashi Art Residency followed by a group exhibition at the Kashi Art Gallery, Kochi in 2019. Meghna lives and works in Mumbai, India.