My Entry to Wheat Thins Creative Expressions

I am a graduate student pursuing PhD in computer science. I have always been interested in various art forms including music, dancing, painting, cooking, knitting, embroidery and other crafts. Although research provides me with an opportunity for creative thinking, it gets quite tricky to catch up with these more tangible art forms under the pressure of my academic life. Hence, I always look for ways to release some of this “creative frustration” by taking up art projects and gifting the creations to my friends.

On my recent trip to India, I saw a very beautiful wall mural, which reflected the traditions of Gujarat, my home state in India. The very old and almost extinct art form is called “Mandana”, paintings made by women on the mud walls of their huts with limestone and mirrors. The beauty of these paintings is in the simplicity of motifs and color (white on dark background), three-dimensional effect and vibrancy of mirrors. I have also been inspired by other rich art traditions of India, which involve more colors and richer (but expensive) materials, like semiprecious stones and Zari (gold/silver weaving work). Despite the beauty of these forms, I have never seen a painting that brings together all these elements and modern medias like acrylic, watercolors and ceramic paints. I had been visualizing this big painting that captured all these elements including the richness of Zari, semiprecious stones and mirrors, vibrant colors, three-dimensional effect and traditions of Mandana motifs. My college friend bought a house and I wanted to make a unique gift for her. It was a perfect excuse to bring my concept to life. I was happy that the result turned out even better than my imagination. I was even happier when I saw the look on my friend’s face when she unwrapped it.