Artist Mona Rai’s new series of works

New Delhi based Nature Morte gallery just recently showcased a solo exhibition by talented artist Mona Rai. Her new paintings done in a cultural context known predominantly for figurative art, display her steadfastly commitment to abstraction throughout her career as a painter.

Incidentally, her first solo show took place in Delhi way back in 1974). Her new series ‘Verk’ declared the foundation for this suite of new works - ambitious in scale, materials, and approach. A press release elaborated: “A grid of metallic leafs (gold, silver or copper) acts as the structure for each of these large paintings, then manipulated by the artist to arrive at multiple destinations. With the addition of paint, mirrors, fabrics, and strings, Rai crafts elaborately detailed surfaces that resemble exotic textiles, kaleidoscopic vistas, ancient mosaics and antique veneers. In works composed of multiple panels, they recall Japanese screens and city lights; in single-canvas works the references include carpets, tapestries and even gardens. “

Mona Rai first studied Psychology at Delhi University and then opted to attend art classes for a few years at Triveni Kala Sangam. In that sense, she is not a formally trained artist and painted more by instinct. For her the fascinating painted space is not one for quiet contemplation, seclusion, of refuge, and complete withdrawal from the world. In fact, it’s exactly the opposite in her case. The artist tends to treat it as one for experimentation and vivacious expression where limits can be exceeded and new norms can be set. Her looming, square works well epitomize her dynamic artistic attitude.

The new works by Mona Rai seem to glow from within and Rai's touch is both delicate and assured, resulting in astonishing levels of variety and subtlety in the works. In the end, geometry battles an organic fecundity and painting becomes something both architectural and commemorative.