VISUAL ARTS, POETRY, COMMUNITY ARTS, MEDIA & ADVERTISING
"My art is my search for the moments beyond the ones of self knowledge. It is the rhythmic fantasy; a restless streak which looks for its own fulfillment! A stillness that moves within! An intense search for my origin and ultimate identity". - Meena
It was truly an honour to receive the "Community Heritage Award" at Heritage Mississauga’s The Credits. Congratulations to all the remarkable recipients recognized for their meaningful contributions.
Each award was beautifully handcrafted by the talented Sid Gendron (Sawmill Sid) — a work of art in itself.
Celebrating our city, and those who preserve and lead in heritage, reminds us of where we’ve come from and guides us toward where we’re going.
27th November 2025 | 5:30 PM Tea | 6 PM Event, at India International Centre, 40 Max Mueller Marg, Lodhi Estate, New Delhi.
Step
into the luminous world of Charismatic Chiaroscuro — where poetry,
visual art, and digital media converge in a play of light and shadow.
This special evening brings together an evocative short film,
reflections from distinguished speakers on art’s evolving frontiers in
the digital age and a conversation with the artist-poet Meena Chopra.
The
session begins at 5:30PM with tea, 6PM event and runs until 7 PM,
followed by Q&A, featuring a short film, book introduction, and a
panel discussion with distinguished speakers who will share their
insights on art, poetry and the creative process.
Panel: Prof. Malashri Lal (Chair), Prof. Sukrita Paul Kumar, Prof. Sudeep Sen Opening Remarks: Dr. Usha Mujoo Munshi(IIC) Introductory Segment: Meena Chopra
Come be part of this vibrant dialogue celebrating words, visuals, and imagination in motion.
Supported
by Mississauga Arts Council’s MicroGrant Program through the support of
RAMA Gaming House - Charitable Gaming at City of Mississauga.
The Woodstock Public Library Ontario will come alive with words, colors, and moving images as poet, visual artist, and filmmakerMeena Choprapresents anAuthor’s Talkon her celebrated work,Charismatic Chiaroscuro: Poetry & Art.
Audiences will be treated to a12-minute audio-visual film presentation, where poetry flows seamlessly into visual art and digital media. Chopra’s book features44 poems, 80 artworks, and 78 art video films, each linked with QR codes for a fully interactive, multi-sensory journey.
The event promises more than a reading — it is animmersive exploration of light and shadow,
of words and images, designed to spark reflection and conversation.
Guests will also have the chance to meet the author, engage in dialogue,
and get their books signed.
✨All are invited to share in this evening of poetry, art, and soulful discovery.
Charismatic Chiaroscuro has been generously funded by the microgrant program of Mississauga Arts Council
I am delighted to announce my return to the Mississauga Literary
Festival this fall on Saturday, September 13, at the Hazel McCallion
Central Library. I will be signing copies of my books, , Charismatic
Chiaroscuro: Poetry & Art by Meena Chopra, a distinctive artistic
journey featuring 44 poems, 80 original artworks, and 78 art video
films, all accessible through QR codes for a fully immersive,
multi-sensory experience. Attendees are warmly invited to stop by for a
signing and an engaging, lighthearted conversation. I will be at the
festival from 10:00 AM to 3:30 PM. Join me. Mississauga Library
For my poetry kindly Visit:
English: http://ignitedlines.blogspot.com
Hindi: http://ignitedlines.blogspot.com/
website: http://meenachopra17.wix.com/meena-chopra-artist
America isn't just a land of opportunity; it's the land of
consumerism. From birth to death, citizens are trained to consume:
products, trends, identities, and even values. Consumerism isn’t a side
effect of the American dream—it is the dream itself. Every
advertisement, political slogan, and "freedom" is packaged, marketed,
and sold.
Here lies the paradox: how can a society that views everything
through the lens of consumption ever truly respect anything—be it human
dignity, women, other nations, or the environment? When worth is
measured by market value, respect becomes transactional. Women arecommodifiedinto
beauty standards, nations are reduced to markets or military pawns, and
people are ranked by their purchasing power. Even morality is
repackaged for profit, sold as corporate “diversity campaigns” or
“greenwashing.”
This transactional view extends to our emotions. In America, empathy has beenmonetized.
Tragedies become hashtags, social movements become merchandise, and
human suffering becomes a spectacle to be consumed before the next
trending distraction takes over. Respect requires recognition of
inherent value, but consumerism only recognizes exchange value.
So let’s ask the uncomfortable question: Can America ever truly
respect others while worshipping consumption as its highest god? The
answer, disturbingly, may be no. Because in a consumeristic culture,
respect is not given; it's a price tag
Poetry and Art Come Alive at Heritage Mississauga with Meena Chopra’s Latest Book Launch
Mississauga, April 17, 2025 — Renowned poet and visual artist Meena Chopra unveiled her latest works, Charismatic Chiaroscuro and Shifting Silhouettes, at a vibrant launch event hosted at Heritage Mississauga. The evening brought together art enthusiasts, poets, dignitaries, and members of the literary community to celebrate Chopra’s newest contribution to Canadian art and poetry.
Blending visual aesthetics with lyrical depth, Chopra’s latest collections explore the interplay of light, shadow, and human emotion through a unique fusion of poetry and digital art. Guests were treated to readings, a curated display of artworks, and thought-provoking conversations about creativity, identity, and the evolving role of art in contemporary society.
Among the distinguished attendees were Mike Douglas, Executive Director of Mississauga Arts Council; Jayme Gaspar, Executive Director of Heritage Mississauga; historian Matthew Wilkinson; writers Pratap Reddy with his wife Shashi, Kim Cayer writer, Serina Lewis, Sunil Sharma and Sangeeta Sharma with their daughter Srishti; Nain Amyn, Board Member of the Mosaic Festival of Mississauga; poet and artist Brenda Brown; Elizabeth Banfalvi; Mary Ellen; Saran Ghai; Reeta Ghai; Sudeep Tyagi; and Gopal Baghel.
The event was masterfully emceed by Bhupinder Virdi, whose warm presence and thoughtful introductions added to the evening's charm.
The launch highlighted Heritage Mississauga’s ongoing commitment to supporting local artists and fostering cultural dialogue. It was a true celebration of artistic expression, marking another milestone in Chopra’s acclaimed career.
The launch of Charismatic Chiaroscuro - Poetry & Art at Hetitage Mississauga on April 17th, 2025. Thank you for all the support all my friends. Thank you all the esteemed speakers.
A special thanks to our esteemed speakers—Prof. Malashri Lal, Prof. Sukrita Paul Kumar, Lesley Fletcher, Yogesh Patel, E. Connie Munson, and Mike Douglas—for their insightful and engaging discussions.
Online Premiere of ‘Video Art Films’ by Meena Chopra
Inspired by her poetry and art book Charismatic Chiaroscuro. Experience a unique fusion of poetry, art, and technology through stunning Art Video Films that bring the essence of the book to life. This event aims to engage the local and global arts community while serving as a precursor to the official launch of the duo books in April.
*Date: 1st March 2025
*Time: 10 AM EST | 8:30 PM IST | 3 PM UK (approximately 2 hours)
*Platforms: Zoom & YouTube.
Program is divided into three segments as below.
🔹 Premiere screening of exclusive Art Video Films with interactive digital experience, merging, poetry, art and technology
🔹 Insights from distinguished authors, academics, and artists from Canada, India, and the UK
🔹 Interactive discussion and Q&A with a stellar panel
--The event is being organized in collaboration with Mississauga Arts Council.
These Art Video Films are inspired from and featured in my forthcoming poetry and art collection , 'Charismatic Chiaroscuro'(Shortly to be released). This collection includes approximately 80 artworks, 75 video art films, and 45 poems, intricately connected through QR codes embedded in the book.
Charismatic Chiaroscuro and Shifting Silhouettes complement one another, exploring creativity’s spectrum—from words to multimedia. While Shifting Silhouettes delivers a traditional, introspective poetic experience, Charismatic Chiaroscuro expands this vision through poetry, art, and video, offering a multi-sensory journey of light, shadow, and innovation.
Supported by Mississauga Arts Council’s MicroGrant Program with funding from RAMA Gaming House - Charitable Gaming at the City of Mississauga.
Online Premiere of ‘Video Art Films’ by Meena Chopra.
Inspired by her poetry and art book Charismatic Chiaroscuro. Experience a unique fusion of poetry, art, and technology through Art Video Films that bring the essence of the book to life. This event aims to engage the local and global arts community while serving as a precursor to the official launch of the duo books in April.
These Art Video Films are inspired from and featured in my forthcoming poetry and art collection , 'Charismatic Chiaroscuro'(Shortly to be released). This collection includes approximately 80 artworks, 78 video art films, and 44 poems, intricately connected through QR codes embedded in the book.
Charismatic Chiaroscuro and Shifting Silhouettes complement one another, exploring creativity’s spectrum—from words to multimedia. While Shifting Silhouettes delivers a traditional, introspective poetic experience, Charismatic Chiaroscuro expands this vision through poetry, art, and video, offering a multi-sensory journey of light, shadow, and innovation.
Supported by Mississauga Arts Council’s MicroGrant Program with funding from RAMA Gaming House - Charitable G
Join Us for the online Premiere of ‘Video Art Films’ by Meena Chopra Inspired
by her poetry and art book Charismatic Chiaroscuro. Experience a unique
fusion of poetry, art, and technology through stunning Art Video Films
that bring the essence of the book to life. This event aims to engage
the local and global arts community while serving as a precursor to the
official launch of the duo books in April.
*Date: 1st March 2025 *Time: 10 AM EST | 8:30 PM IST | 3 PM UK (approximately 2 hours) *Platforms: Zoom & YouTube.
Program is divided into three segments as below.
Premiere screening of exclusive Art Video Films with interactive digital experience, merging, poetry, art and technology Insights from distinguished authors, academics, and artists from Canada, India, and the UK Interactive discussion and Q&A with a stellar panel --The event is being organized in collaboration with Mississauga Arts Council. Event link: https://www.facebook.com/share/1Xsm29CJao/
These
Art Video Films are inspired from and featured in my forthcoming poetry
and art collection , 'Charismatic Chiaroscuro'(Shortly to be released).
This collection includes approximately 80 artworks, 75 video art films,
and 45 poems, intricately connected through QR codes embedded in the
book.
Charismatic
Chiaroscuro and Shifting Silhouettes complement one another, exploring
creativity’s spectrum—from words to multimedia. While Shifting
Silhouettes delivers a traditional, introspective poetic experience,
Charismatic Chiaroscuro expands this vision through poetry, art, and
video, offering a multi-sensory journey of light, shadow, and
innovation.
Supported
by Mississauga Arts Council’s MicroGrant Program with funding from RAMA
Gaming House - Charitable Gaming at the City of Mississauga.
WORK
IN PROGRESS
"A Journey into a Charismatic Chiaroscuro" is a unique intersensory
amalgamation of poetry, digital, and video art exploring light and
shadow, blending innovation, tradition, myth, and reality.
Offering an immersive multimedia experience, The book uses QR codes to
connect readers with dynamic artworks on YouTube, seamlessly merging
visual art with poetry”.
#charasmaticchiaroscuro#poetrylovers#poetryandart#digitalart For my poetry kindly Visit:
English: http://ignitedlines.blogspot.com
Hindi: http://ignitedlines.blogspot.com/
website: http://meenachopra17.wix.com/meena-chopra-artist
"American painter Jackson Pollock eloquently stated,
"When I am in my painting, I'm not aware of what I'm doing. It's only
after a sort of 'get acquainted' period that I see what I've been about".
As an artist, I've always been fascinated by the intricate link
between creativity and the subconscious mind. I always feel that the
subconscious self has an innate, profound and enigmatic role in shaping
the world of art, infusing it with a depth and authenticity that can
only be glimpsed through the deepest workings of the mind.
Beholding the shadows - Digital drawing by Meena Chopra
There's an almost mystical quality to the way the subconscious
mind serves as a wellspring of inspiration. It's as if a hidden treasure
trove of ideas, emotions, and imagery lies beneath the surface, waiting
to be exploited, unearthed and to be brought to life on the canvas or
on any chosen artistic medium. Some of my most unique and intriguing art
ideas have emerged unknowingly from the depths of my subconscious,
guiding me towards unexplored territories and uncharted creative waters
of the hidden self.
What's truly remarkable is how one's latent being seamlessly
weaves symbols and metaphors while creating an artwork. These symbols
often carry personal significance that may not be immediately evident,
yet they infuse the work with layers of complexity and depth. As if the
submerged self comes to the surface in the act of “creative flow," where
the artist in me takes over in a kind of oneness, getting deeply
engaged with an 'idea'. This creative flow can be attributed to a deep
hidden world of mind. Perhaps the subconscious self-starts communicating
in a language of symbols, allowing to convey emotions and narratives
that go beyond the limitations of words alone.
I've often found myself making instinctual choices in terms of
color palettes, shapes, and compositions. These choices, driven by an
intuition that goes beyond rational thought, contribute to the
authenticity and spontaneous flow of the artwork. It's as if the
subconscious whispers its guidance, leading me down a path that feels
right, even if I can't always pin point and explain why.
Many times, through art, I've been able to express complex
feelings that might elude verbal articulation. As if the latent within
became a conduit for emotions participating in a creative flow. Perhaps
it's a therapeutic outlet and it allows me to process emotions buried
within the recesses of my mind. This emotional resonance translates into
my work, creating a bridge between my inner world and the external
canvas.
I feel, because art is rooted with the latent and hidden part of
human consciousness, it can at times challenge logical thinking, guiding
us towards unconventional approaches. It might not always conform to
traditional narratives, inviting viewers to interpret and engage with
the work on an emotional and subliminal level. Famous artist Henri
Matisse once said, "Creative people are curious, flexible, persistent, and independent with a tremendous spirit of adventure and a love of play." This
spirit of playfulness and curiosity fuels one's journey into the depths
of the subconscious, unlocking doors to ideas and inspiration,
something which can’t be consciously conjured.
I realize that the creative journey is not just a linear
process—it's a multidimensional and a cyclic experience that keeps on
intertwining the conscious with the hidden.
As I navigate the intricate labyrinth of artistic creation, I am
humbled by the role of that hidden and subtle self. A role that
transcends time and culture, linking artists across centuries through a
shared connection to the deeper recesses of the human experience.
Through dreams, symbols, and intuition, I become a silent collaborator,
infusing my art with a depth and authenticity that springs from the very
essence of ‘who I am. It's an exploration that reminds me that art is
not just an external endeavour—it's a journey within to a journey
without.
As Carl Jung wisely noted, "The creation of something new is
not accomplished by the intellect, but by the play of instinct acting
from inner necessity. The creative mind plays with the objects it
loves."
Bio: Meena Chopra is a Canadian
Indian poet, a visual artist, designer, art curator and a producer of
art and literary events. She writes both in English and her native Hindi
language.
Delighted to share that I've been awarded the prestigious NALANDA AWARD for Best Hindi Poet by the "Canadian South Asian Literary Festival 2023"!
As an artist and a poet of both Hindi and English, I've always embraced the beautiful synergy between the languages, between my Indian heritage and Canadian influences. My creative journey has always oscillated between cultures and the realms of art, poetry and literature.
I'm truly humbled by this recognition, which reaffirms the power of creative expression in literature, art and cultures to bridge gaps and transcend boundaries. A heartfelt thank you to the organizers and everyone who has supported me on this path. This award is not just mine, but a celebration of the diverse voices that enrich our artistic and literary tapestry.
यह बताते हुए खुशी हो रही है कि मुझे कैनेडियन साउथ एशियन लिटररी फेस्टिवल 2023 द्वारा सर्वश्रेष्ठ हिंदी कवि के लिए प्रतिष्ठित नालंदा पुरस्कार से सम्मानित किया गया है!
एक कलाकार और रचनाकार के रूप में, मैंने हमेशा अपने भारतीय और कनाडाई प्रभावों के बीच सुंदर तालमेल को अपनाया है। मेरी रचनात्मक यात्रा संस्कृतियों, भाषाशैलियों, कला और कविता के बीच सदैव ही गतिशील रही है।
मैं वास्तव में हर उस प्रयास का विनम्रता से और हृदय से स्वागत करती हूं जो जीवन के हर एक पहलू की दूरियों को कम करके,असीमित सीमाओं को लांघता हुआ, कलात्मक एवं साहित्यिक अभिव्यक्ति की शक्ति की पुष्टि करता है।
आयोजकों और सभी को जिन्होंने मुझे इस लायक समझा और मेरी रचनात्मक गतिविधियों का समर्थन किया, उनको मेरा हार्दिक धन्यवाद। यह पुरस्कार सिर्फ मेरा नहीं है, बल्कि उन विविध आवाज़ों का उत्सव है जो हमारी रचनात्मक टेपेस्ट्री को समृद्ध करती हैं।
IN BETWEEN THE LINES ---------------------------- International
show of 'Art and Poetry' in metaverse, on the virtual plane of
CROSSARTS Gallery, showcasing women poets from Canada and India and the
Indian diaspora from the UK and USA --------------------------------- Art
By Canadian Artist - Miro Korsic (1940-2012) (An artist that leaves
behind his legacy of beautiful art in Mississauga, Canada) ------------------------ This
will simultaneously also inaugurate the virtual art gallery CROSSARTS
in metaverse under the aegis of Cross Currents Indo-Canadian
International Arts. Event is organized by CROSS CURRENTS - Indo-Canadian International Arts with the support of Mississauga Arts Council (MAC) ------------------------- Celebrating 75 Years of India's Independence ------------------------- Conceived and curated by Meena Chopra Co-curated by Nain Amyn --------------------------- Kindly Go to the Eventbrite link and reserve your free ticket: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/408033137097 --------------------------- It is a permanent show which will remain on CROSSART's Virtual Gallery for viewing and reading. -------------------------- Time: 10 AM to 12pm (Canada) 7:30pm (India) 3pm (England) 10am (USA Eastern) Date: Saturday 24th Sept 2022 Venue: Zoom Program: Greeting the guests, poets/informal interaction -20 minutes Gallery tour/event introduction/ introducing the poets and the artists - 15 minutes Speakers - 15 minutes Readings by poets - 50 minutes Q and A and interaction - 15 minutes Thank you note- 3 minutes
Participating Poets on the walls -------------------------- ANNA YIN (Canada) LISA REYNOLDS (Canada) ARCHANA SAHNI (India) BRENDA CLEWS (Canada) ALKA TYAGI (India) ZOHRA ZOBERI (Canada) SANGEETA GUPTA (India) SHEILA E. TUCKER (Canada) MALASHRI LAL (India) USHA AKELLA (USA) MEENA CHOPRA (Canada) QURAT DAR (Canada) ANITA NAHAL (USA) MANDIRA GHOSH (India) LAKSHMI KANNAN (India) MONA DASH (UK) USHA KISHORE (UK) JENNIFER WENN (Canada) SUKRITA PAUL KUMAR (India) MARGARET CODE (Canada) CHITRA THRIVIKRAMAN NAIR (India) PRAMILA VENKATESWARAN (USA) DEBJANI CHATTERJI (UK) ----------------------------- It
is a permanent show which will remain on CROSSART's platform for
viewing and reading. Virtual Gallery can be accessed from your laptop,
device or VR Headsets
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