The word Maya refers to illusion in Indian philosophy and it has inspired my artwork over the years. The Maya: Transitory Experiences installation was inspired by various concepts and theories in physics ranging from the quantum to the cosmic realms. As I punched one hole at a time, constantly aware of the materials and tools’ physical limitations, images of the Big Bang–black holes with accretion discs and voids in the vast space–began to emerge. The varying sizes of the holes refer to the scales in the universe; the layers of paper to different dimensions; and the patterns made by the holes symbolize the symmetries and asymmetries that make matter and life possible. The same white paper changes in value as light and shadows dance on its surface reminding us of ephemerality that can span from a billionth of a second to billions of years.
ABOUT THE ARTIST:
Shanthi Chandrasekar is a multimedia and multidisciplinary artist from Maryland who has an academic background in physics and psychology, and has been trained in the traditional Indian art forms of Kolam and Tanjore-style painting. While many of her works are influenced by her Indian heritage, her true inspiration comes from the mystery and majesty of the world around her; her muse lives where the scientific overlaps with the spiritual.
Shanthi has won numerous awards for her works, including Independent Artist Awards from the Maryland State Arts Council and Individual Artist Grants from the Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomery County as well as from the Maryland Traditions Folklife Apprenticeships twice to teach Kolam. Her artwork is in the DC Art Bank, Montgomery Public Art, and other collections. Shanthi has exhibited, presented her work, and participated in events at several galleries and institutions, including Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, Gandhi Memorial Center, Katzen Arts Center at the American University, DakshinaChitra Heritage Museum in India, and the Smithsonian as well as at art fairs with LAMINAproject Gallery in New York City. She has shared Kolams to various audiences through presentations, workshops and exhibitions at various events and venues including the American Folklore Society, National Folklife Festival, Maryland Folklife and Traditions Festivals and the National Math Day.
As a Kennedy Center Culture Caucus member, Shanthi has presented events at The REACH and curated events that included a discussion on traditional art forms from around the world containing dots and lines, and also exhibited Kolam artwork and performed a live demonstration of Kolam drawing with her daughter Aishwariya Chandrasekar. She was invited to be the Artisan in Residence by the National Museum of Asian Arts and the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage for their partnership program in November 2023 to share Kolams by conducting a workshop, participating in a discussion and live demonstration. Shanthi designed the Kolam concept for the 2021 Kolam Project that involved community participation from around the United States to install a 1,950-tile Kolam in Washington, DC.
www.shanthic.com
@shanthi_chandra_sekar
FREIGHT GALLERY
2414 Douglas Street, NE
Washington, DC 20018
There is plenty of on-street parking. Please text (202) 276-5430 if you need parking accommodations. Enter on the side of the building through the loading dock.
*Please note: the exhibition is on view and open to the public for the duration of the 2 hour reception only.
www.freightgallery.com
@freightgallerydc
Photo credit: Maya: Transitory Experiences (detail) Tony Ventouris Photography
