Interview
Renu Kumar
Renu is a self-taught artist. She is a strong believer in the close interplay between art and music. Music orchestrates the brushstrokes of an artist, to create a music sheet that can be heard and felt through the artwork. These two allies have the power to create and interpret each other.
Her paintings display different perspectives of expressions. Renu has a unique way of painting landscapes which can be seen in her series ‘Walk through the seasons’, where the presence in four different countries is expressed by footprints in a corner of the painting.
In her paintings, one gets lost in the coexistence of realism and abstraction. Her series ‘Emergence and Moments Suspended in Time’ displays a feeling of independence, confidence, aspiration and strength through the subject, and the abstract background creates a free, boundless atmosphere.
Although most of her paintings are in oil, Renu has also made some compositions in acrylic and charcoal.
What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?
“I am an Indian artist who has lived in various countries over the last 30 years. My journey as an artist has been influenced by my life experiences with different people, cultures, cuisines, dresses, and landscapes. My travels have taught me that there are numerous ways to look at situations, and that life can be viewed from various different lenses.
I worked as a teacher before becoming a professional artist in 2016. I am self-taught, and my life experiences as a teacher, mother, wife, and human have shaped me into what I am today—an artist and an entrepreneur.”
What inspires you most?
“The experiences from several different countries I have lived in can be seen in my paintings, especially the color choices I make, which come from the cultural preferences people have in various countries.”
What themes do you pursue? Is there an underlying message in your work?
“I’m an expressionist, so the themes in my work are all about expressions, whether simple, realistic or abstract. I believe that people connect with my paintings and feel the emotions carried in the work. This connection can be seen on their faces when they visit my exhibitions.
After seeing the natural beauty of Canada on my recent trips, I was compelled to capture some of those landscapes in my recent paintings. The series ‘Day across Canada’ is in three parts capturing morning, day, and evening in three different zones of Canada. This particular series has a permanent home in Canada.
The latest abstract series Symphony (see above) and Energy (see below) are my favorites. Symphony consists of five pieces and is a creation inspired by music. The symphonic movement of bold and bright colors was created to express the orchestrated music. The Energy series has four pieces full of the energy of different colors, sprinkled and splattered on an abstract background.
Besides series, I have some single art pieces on paper and canvas.”
How would you describe your work?
“My work is self-explanatory. My experiences come out on the canvas and take the shape of an expression that is a fluid combination of abstract and realistic view. Each piece created by me has a story to tell. Once a piece is complete, the expression immortalizes itself.
I am also a strong believer of the close interplay between visual art and other art forms and aspects around us. The interplay of art and music is depicted in my symphony series. It sends a message through the bold colors that move on the paper in a symphonic manner. Similarly, art and fashion have a close relationship. It is my intention to take art to a higher level where original art can be crafted into fabric, making art both immortal and alive.
I have launched a website where my original artwork is crafted into different apparel and clothing accessories, making each piece a masterpiece.”
Which artists influence you most?
“Vincent Van Gogh and Jackson Pollock. The bold and vivid colors that I use in my series Symphony are inspired by Van Gogh. The dripping effect in my Energy series is influenced by Pollock’s legendary drip paintings.”
“Passing Through the Circles.
The journey of a soul, from birth to death and beyond.
Passing Through the Circles is a metaphysical installation. Derived from the Greek ‘meta ta physika’ (after the things of nature), it refers to an idea or posited reality outside of human sense perception.
In modern philosophical terminology, metaphysics refers to the studies of what cannot be reached through objective studies of material reality.”
What is your creative process like?
“My creative process changes with each project. It starts with a thought or experience and takes its shape as the process moves. This goes on until I feel that the initial thought has been accomplished.”
“In my opinion, an inception of a soul in a body passes through the circles of life from birth, to childhood, to young, to adult and finally, the old age.
This journey yields rich experiences at every phase of life. Good or bad, these experiences are the teachers of the soul. Each soul has its own purpose and destiny in life.”
What is an artist’s role in society and how do you see that evolving?
“An artist inspires and connects with the society globally. All around the world, whichever community or culture one belongs to, it’s art that forces people to think, appreciate and connect with different aspects of life. This is one of the reasons I started my online business where people not only connect with my art, but also get a chance to wear it and make it alive.”
Have you had any noteworthy exhibitions you'd like to share?
“I have participated in various group and solo exhibitions, in Dubai and in Mongolia. Media coverage of the exhibition in Mongolia can be viewed here. Other exhibitions include:
2022 - Zanabazar, Mongolia.
2021 - Oberoi, Dubai.
2019 - World Art Dubai.
- Art Hub, Dubai.
2018 - Art Hub, Solo Exhibition, Dubai.
- Abu Dhabi, UAE.I have sold my art pieces in Canada, UAE, and in Mongolia.”
Art:
Website: www.atelier-tapestry.com
Instagram: @canvasoriginal21
Other: YouTube
Clothing:
Instagram: @atelier_tapestry
Other: YouTube
