DEEPANJALI SHEKHAR

Born in Patna, Bihar, Deepanjali Shekhar’s artistic practice explores the expression of unspoken emotions through intricate drawings, often inspired by personal experiences as well as botanical and microbiological studies. Her work reflects a journey of emotional discovery, influenced by the cultural shifts she experienced, from growing up in the orthodox society of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh to adapting to the contrasting environment of Gujarat. As a woman, Deepanjali’s art serves as a channel for the suppressed emotions and experiences of her life. Through vibrant botanical illustrations, she uses plants and flowers as metaphors for feminine energy, beauty, and freedom. The rawness and fluidity of nature captivate her, serving as both subject and symbol in her work. Her choice of coffee- or tea-toned paper evokes a vintage, diary-like quality, creating surfaces that carry her emotions, memories, and observations. The day-to-day imagery in her drawings often sparks reflections of past moments, transforming them into symbols of self. Her exploration of the body and nature merges these two forms, collapsing them into a unified representation of each other. Having studied printmaking, etching, embossing, stop-motion animation, and videography, Deepanjali has expanded her practice to include painting—a medium that deepens her engagement with the themes of nature and self-discovery. Her time at Shantiniketan, surrounded by the rich flora and fauna, further nurtured her connection to nature, sparking new symbols and icons that continue to drive her creative process.