Aditi Aggarwal

About: 

The work embodies a personal tension, navigating vulnerability and self-reflection through a delicate balance of playfulness and conflict. During my residency at Studio 21 in Kolkata, the shift from Delhi to an unfamiliar environment sparked discomfort and excitement, both of which became central to my creative process. The initial encounter with domestic plants in Kolkata, mirroring those from Delhi, created a tenuous bridge between the two cities, underscoring the fragility of memory and identity amidst change. The act of drawing these plants on black paper, refined with white acrylic, became an exercise in revisiting the known through an unfamiliar lens. The repetition of these forms on acrylic sheets, with intentional shifts in layers, introduced a reflective interplay that destabilized the clarity of the original image. This visual tension mirrors the emotional dissonance of transitioning between two spaces. The plants, symbolic of memory, evoke a sense of nostalgia but also underscore the inevitability of displacement and the fragility of comfort. This series is not just an artistic exploration but a confrontation with the tension between the familiar and the unknown, questioning whether comfort can ever truly be reclaimed in the face of continuous change.

NOTES:

The work is layered and reflects a deep personal connection, embodying both conversation and inner argument, and depicting vulnerability. There is an inherent tension in the approach, balanced with a sense of playfulness. And, it sits well with who I am. During my residency at Studio 21 in Ballygunge, Kolkata, I experienced a significant shift from my familiar environment in Delhi. This transition brought a mix of excitement and discomfort, which I navigated through my artistic practice. Early encounters with domestic plants in Kolkata evoked memories of similar plants back home in Delhi, creating a bridge between the two cities and providing a sense of continuity amidst the change. Drawing these leaves brought comfort and familiarity in the new setting. I began sketching in my A4 black paper sketchbook with a pencil and later refined these drawings with white acrylic. This process grew organically, leading to the creation of this series. I repeated the drawings on acrylic sheets, intentionally shifting the layers to create a reflective visual effect. The acrylic-on-acrylic interaction introduced spontaneous pattern generation, adding depth and complexity to the work. These domestic plants became a symbol of remembrance, providing solace amidst the surrounding chaos.

 

The act of repeating the drawings was like capturing the echo of resonant sounds, grounding me in the present.

 

This series not only represents my artistic exploration but also my emotional journey from Delhi to Kolkata, finding comfort in familiar motifs and transforming them into new expressions. The process of creating these works was a way to reconcile the tension between the known and the unknown, the familiar and the new, ultimately finding peace in the act of creation.​