South Asian artists draw inspiration from heritage and identity at exhibition

From traditional Madhubani art to homemade candles, the South Asian Artists Association of America showcased the diverse artwork of 21 creatives over the weekend during its Vasant: A Spring Mosaic by Indian Artists” event at Bridgewater Commons mall.

“It was a perfect opportunity for us to showcase South Asian artists who work in a wide variety of media, in both traditional and contemporary art forms,” said artist and association member Parvathi Kumar, of Bridgewater Township. “Our event title, ‘Vasant,’ means springtime, so we celebrated the season as well as the diversity of artistic talent in New Jersey.”

The three-day event was held from Friday to Sunday at the mall as part of the second annual Garden State Art Weekend statewide celebration.

On Friday, the artists’ works, ranging from large paintings and hand-carved candles to small sculptures, were displayed as more than 60 attendees browsed prints and affordable artworks priced under $150.

On Saturday and Sunday, attendees enjoyed live painting demonstrations by different artists, workshops, Indian dance performances, and face painting for kids.

Stephanie Moench, of Bridgewater Township, attended the event on Friday to support the artists.

“It’s very important for people to be able to see that there’s so many different styles of art within this room,” said Moench, an art teacher. “It’s eye-opening to see all this art.”

Artist Nupur Nishith, of Edison, is one of the association’s founding members and helped start the group in 2016 because South Asian artists wanted to connect and support each other.

The group now has over 100 members nationwide, many of whom are based in New Jersey and participate in exhibitions and art centers individually and as a group.

Nishith said all artists in the mall exhibit were association members who “Draw inspiration from their South Asian heritage, identities, communities, and unique cross-cultural life experiences.”

Artist Seema Chandane, of Parsippany, was one of them.

An architect and self-taught artist, Chandane showcased the acrylic and watercolor paintings she created in the ancient traditional Indian Madhubani art style known for its intricate line details and vibrant colors and themes related to religion, social scenes and an element of nature, according to Laasya Art.

Several of her acrylic and watercolor paintings primarily depicted the Hindu deity, Lord Krishna.

“I go by the feeling that the art that heals the artist heals the viewer. So that’s kind of my take on art,” said Chandane, who displayed her artwork for the first time at the exhibition. “I am a professional, and I take care of my kids and everything, but when I am creating my art, it helps me find that meditative thought, and it heals me.

“My excitement is over the top. I am just very pleased and very grateful that I got to be part of this exhibit with this wonderful group of artists,” Chandane added. “I recently joined the South Asian Artists Association, so they actually pushed me into showcasing my artwork, and I said, ‘Hey, let’s give this a try.’ It’s a beautiful feeling, and I love seeing my artwork on the wall.”

As a child growing up in Bombay, India, Chandane recalled enduring painful ear infections and her mother giving her art supplies to help her cope.

She said she would color all night long.

“It would take my pain away, and I would just be engrossed in the art,” Chandane said. “It just stuck with me, and whenever I found myself dealing with a bit of stress or anything, art was something I was always drawn to.”

Nickie Singhar, of Princeton, said she has worked as an artist and textile designer for 15 years and likes blending the traditional Indian themes from the ancient Indian art form Gond with contemporary art styles.

“To me, art gives me a way to express myself. It is like what I see,” said Singhar, an art teacher whose diverse students inspire her work.

Still, she noted that art needs an audience.

“That’s how you get the feedback and the energy to continue to create, she said. ”I’m so thankful to the Bridgewater Commons mall for giving us this space to show our art.”

Meeta Garg, of Basking Ridge, was pleased as well.

“I am here to show my support for them,” said Garg, an association member and co-founder of The Meraki, an art promotion company in Basking Ridge, “and I am enjoying seeing everyone’s artwork on full display.”

The participating artists included:

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Mosaic staff writer Vashti Harris can be reached at vharris@njadvancemedia.com.

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