Voice from Within

With woman as her muse,Anita Trehan does not have to look too far, given that she is a woman herself. However,her works are not autobiographical.

With woman as her muse,Anita Trehan does not have to look too far, given that she is a woman herself. However,her works are not autobiographical. Instead,she takes a few steps back to look at women with fresh eyes,and does not caste them as victims of their own plight.

I like my paintings to dwell on the strength of self-satisfied women who look within rather than outside for approval, says the artist,whose third solo show Glorious Moments is on at Lalit Kala Akademis Gallery IV,where around 20 of her works are on display. Having studied art under celebrated painter Rameshwar Broota at the Triveni Kala Sangam,Trehan says she is a Delhi girl at heart,even though she was born in Afghanistan.

While the woman is always at the centre of her canvas,she has used recurring motifs around her such as shackles,knots,architectural beams and temple bells. Each motif has its own meaning: the shackles and knots are open at

either end and do not speak of imprisonment,rather they stand for solidarity and strength. The temple bell does not make any reference to religion,it symbolises spirituality, she says,as she explains her paintings to visitors.

Though she has used a lot of red,her intention is to evoke cheer and power. My focus is on calm and self will, she affirms.

Trehan,who has already shown in Delhi and Mumbai,is now planning a solo abroad. Her canvases range from Rs 25,000 – Rs 2 lakh.

The exhibition is being held till July 17 at Lalit Kala Akademi

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