Meena Chopra Art Exhibition EYES OF TIME - Special Report @TAG TV

Opening at Beaux Arts Brampton displaying my digital art in a group Digital Art Exhibition.

 

 website: www.meenachopra.art

For my poetry kindly Visit: English: http://ignitedlines.blogspot.com Hindi: http://ignitedlines.blogspot.com/

Participating at FACE TO FACE art show at Visual Arts Mississauga with my digital art called FURY OF FIRE.

 For my poetry kindly Visit: English: http://ignitedlines.blogspot.com Hindi: http://ignitedlines.blogspot.com/ website: http://meenachopra17.wix.com/meena-chopra-artist

SHE! The Restless Streak Art Exhibition and Book Launch

'OPEN Doors' art show: Proshanta Karmakar art is a constant reminder of, and victoriously exudes the vital spirit of an old man or ‘father time’.

OPEN Doors runs from December 10th, 2019 till 20 th Dec 2019 and from 7thJanuary 2020 10 10th January 2020
at Heritage Mississauga (Mississauga Heritage Foundation)
(The Grange): 1921 Dundas St. W, Mississauga, ON L5K 1R2 (phone: 905-828-8411)
Curatorial note

While depicting social themes, at times, of a much-repressed society of Bangladesh, Proshanta Karmakar goes much beyond the ephemeral and fugacious. He draws the viewer’s attention to the transcendental undercurrent, that predominantly overpowers his artistic compositions, that appear to be stilled in time.

His art is a constant reminder of, and victoriously exudes the vital spirit of an old man or ‘father time’. The ageless glory of wisdom, ‘the grim reaper’ watches over the eons, surpassing the durations unlocking the ancient, classical closed doors and windows, sometimes solving the mystery at the end of a corridor. The scything and discerning eyes that are embedded in the compositions of the standstill moments in his prints and paintings penetrate through time.

All is grounded and solidified with a powerful sense of standpoint and perspective. Nothing is impermanent or fading. All this is achieved through the strong metaphorical objectivity in his work. It is a spirituous dialogue with a niggling pain, rising from day to day issues, powerfully stating that everything stays within and without, finally culminating into the vermillion touch of inner gallantry and valour.

- Nain Amyn- Lalji and Meena Chopra - Artist, Author & Poet

 

For my poetry kindly Visit: English: http://ignitedlines.blogspot.com Hindi: http://ignitedlines.blogspot.com/ website: http://meenachopra17.wix.com/meena-chopra-artist

THE NAKED ME: Nudity, Sensuality & Sexuality in Art - Connecting Skin to the Corium and the Corium to the Centre

 Connecting Skin to the Corium and the Corium to the Centre

(Art in dialogue)

     “We know that the nude form, more so female nude form is inherently sensual, specifically to the male eye, but an experienced artistic eye of any gender, caste or creed would surely perceive much more in it, which would complement the skin and the corium of the art with its inner core”
  THE NAKED ME as published in Generally About Books

and published on my blog Meena's Artworld

SHE! The Restless Streak

The materiality of the unclad, bare human body has been close to the imagination and interest of almost every artist down the ages, substantiating the core of multi-layered timeless cyclic continuity of life, depicting the energetic static naked reality at the base of the ever-flowing lifestream. 

The dauntless, gutsy and determined effort of un-layering and uncovering has more to do in coming to terms with the hidden reality of the self, claiming, confronting and accepting the starkness beneath and showcasing it to the world while searching the eventual reality as the intrinsic purpose of any art.  

Either consciously or subconsciously, at some stage of any artist’s career, this reality surfaces to the foreground. This is certainly true for any other art practices or forms such as, realistic, abstract, still life, nature study, or any other creative form such as creative writing, music, dance, and theatre, as all these rise intuitively from the same unchallenged and undeniable substratum of the mind. 

The question that recently came up, on the semi-abstract nude series of mine, from some authoritative entities in arts was, whether sexuality was on my mind when making this semi-nude series? While for some the first reaction to my series of paintings was that these were ‘hot’, for some others it was ‘sensual’ which was understandable.  Some even suggested categorizing this series as ‘Sexual Art’.  

It surprised and puzzled me. We know that the nude form, more so female nude form is sensual specifically to the male eye, but an experienced artistic eye of any gender, caste or creed would surely perceive much more in it, which would complement the skin and the corium of the art with its inner core. 

This led me to analyze how a North American art viewer is viewing, perceiving, discerning and reacting to ‘this nude figurative series of my recent work’ named SHE! The Restless Streak, and, for that matter, any art in general. 

Especially so in North American settings where the art and its exposure are developing and it is still in its nascent stage, even now in the first quarter of the 21st century, in comparison to the other European and Eastern civilizations, with a history of mature artistic sensibilities. 

It’d be pertinent to point out at this stage that a semi-abstract nude sculpture of mine was also denied entry into an art exhibit in 2005 at Novotel Hotel by Mississauga Arts Council. At a later date, the then Executive Director of Mississauga Arts Council – MAC, especially arranged to put a show of my smaller works of seminude series as part of Culture Days/Doors Open Celebrations at Sampradaya Art Creations in 2014. 

This was an individual and personal effort from her because she felt that this series needed a display and an audience even though they were semi nudes. At present, it is being showcased at MindSpace in Erin Mills Town Centre, again through MAC).  

Even in 2015, a curator refused to display these paintings even in a gallery setting in Heritage Mississauga, but later when I showed these works to the gallery in charge and the historian of Heritage Mississauga, he seemed to have no objections at an individual level. 

The entire series of SHE! The Restless Streak, when brought to the Mississauga library’s display gallery for the final showcasing in September 2018, the newly appointed art coordinator seemed shocked and the reaction was that these cannot be displayed because nudity is not accepted. 

She was new and unaware that one artwork out of these series received 1st prize from Visual Arts Mississauga in 2017 and was already displayed in the Mississauga Library Gallery previously.  Only when she confirmed it with senior management about this approved show, she permitted the display.  She commented that the government-funded organization in Canada, where she previously worked, had strict rules and such art could not be displayed. 

 

My question is: Is this mindset able to really reach to the art beyond the certain dermal levels?

This provoked my thoughts further about how a North American viewer is grasping and reacting to the art in general with its quintessence inherent spirit?

To the question of whether the sexuality was on my mind while making this art, leads to a few more questions that have little to do with art and more to do with preconceived notions. Does that mean to the viewer that, if I or anyone else, when painting a fully clad ‘Virgin Mary’ or a ‘religious figure’ should be having devout feelings and thoughts? 

The fundamental question then is: Does the artist always have to compromise with the pressures of the market, the forces of social prejudices and state generated institutionalized rules supporting these prejudices, instead of bringing education and true understanding of arts? 

I know of many artists who have their nude artworks lying or hidden in their studios and do not display them, merely to avoid the unnecessary controversies that may arise from such displays. But at the same time, some of them do take a chance of displaying such works wherever it is possible. 

I believe it is the responsibility of the ‘state’ and state-funded art institutions and organizations to play an active role in giving arts a mature direction for homogeneous development of arts in the present social structure. I’d even lay special emphasis on the state’s role in creating the right atmosphere for young to better understand and accept art and self beyond its surface.

Art rises from the restless and veiled inner creative impulse that desire to be unveiled, to be expressed at the conscious levels of life. It then adorns itself with the rich skin of the artistic language of forms, colors, gestures, sound, or voice using various mediums and outlets, while embodying the expressions rising from the extreme depths of profound experiences.

It is a condition, where the subject (the inspired mind) and the object (the creative outcome), come close to each other and experience is generated, where the artist gets synchronized with the art created in a totality and unity of the inspiring moments.  Creativity comes out of certain areas of madness where nothing else really matters but that the moment needs to be expanded in the time zone.

The impact of the art created draws the spectator towards the profundity of the artistic vision and takes that spectator beyond the ephemeral. (the spectator can be the experiencer of the ‘beyond' through the artistic object as much as the artist).

 

During the creative process, the artistic journey of the artist is upwards and outwards from the centre, seeking the light of the day with the heat of the internalized creative fire, thereby giving the art authenticity and credibility to the revealed reality from beneath or the centre core while down reaching within.

This occurs through the creation, re-creation and resurfacing of images, motifs and symbols by the artist. Concepts and themes at the dermal-level can vary in one’s art and creative work but what gives it the innate quality and validity is its ability to draw the deepest unconscious hidden value behind the object of the art.

This process can be highly instinctive and can come through deep meditative gravity and at times through cryptomnesic fleeting moments. 

Here I would like to point out and stress upon the known fact, that historically, nudity in art is common to Eastern and European cultures. This includes Sistine Chapel in the Vatican, Italian and French pre and post-renaissance, impressionism also ancient Greece and many others.

Nudity in art is prevalent in ancient and modern art of Indian subcontinent and other Eastern countries. Even gods and deities in chapels and temples are artistically sculpted, carved, drawn and painted in nude much earlier in time, even before Christ and centuries back. Do we then call all that art sexual? 

In general, the origin of these questions and statements being genuine and spontaneous from the viewers, perhaps significantly show and corroborate the perceived notion of North American society’s firm belief in its ‘claimed and persistent linear progress in its evolutionary stride’ where the ‘product and its consumption’ is the prime reality of life and becomes a standard to be lived by and is being extended even to the fine arts to most cases.

To discerning minds, fine art remains to be a way of ‘search’ and therefore a way to ‘rich life’ beyond the essentiality of capitalism and consumerism and more so as subjective unity of the artistic vision, union, and its experience.  Whereas, the very foundation of North American society is based on the production and its consumption.   

This is highly contradictory and contrary to the artistic instincts and experiences and is paradoxical in general to the art world and to the value and worth of  ‘fine arts’ beyond the notion and scope of the convergence of popular culture and fine art. Fine art gives you a pragmatic rounded experience, which has no parallel to the consumerist materialistic values.  

Process of understanding, arts comes through delving within and then rising from the deepness, while creating a union and a bond with the artistic work. I feel this exercise happens spontaneously, both for the viewer and the artist, even though not acknowledged and felt instantly.

There is a little scope of ‘linearity’ in ‘fine arts’ as art is not a ‘product’ but a ‘consequence’ of the inmost and the unfathomable.   It is a complete rounded experience. I must admit that it has made me a little cautious and prudent now of the environment around even after my seventeen years in Canada. The only satisfaction has been that, at least, these artworks were evoking certain feelings and interest even though at a transient and preliminary level.  

I also felt that it becomes necessary to generate a feeling to develop an attitude which goes beyond treating art as not just a product but more as a way of life, right at the basic levels of education.

I feel it is important for us to observe life not only as of the linearity of the existence but also going beyond and observing it in a cyclic mode of time as well, which is already set by the law of nature.

This is imperative if we in North America are ambitious and have to come in near comparison with European, Asian and Eastern artistic cultures, also in becoming and claiming ourselves as an artistically developed society in the future.  If this could be achieved only then we can claim that we are in a position to truly advocate and to be true proponents of arts in North America. 

As an immigrant artist from developing world of the Indian subcontinent with its profound ancient artistic civilization where ‘nudity’ in art is of little consequence, ideally my expectation is to have a better acceptance and a broader attitude of any such artistic practices in Canada.

The truth remains, that the artistic vision, its expression and evolution through the ages has emerged and caused by the interplay and dynamics of two subtle formative energies of life (male and female). Art is the outcome of the tension between cause and effect, the negative and the positive energies.

These cosmogenic energies, which are the basis of artistic creation, rotating the world around us, are fugacious to the conscious mind. One must be sagacious and daring enough to delve into them and live with them to understand them. No art or creative effort is complete without sexuality in broad terms. Same is true for the religion also. As said earlier, nudity in art is not new and a lot has been said and written about it. 

As for me and for my personal journey as an artist, it is the dynamics of subtle female energy that continuously fascinates and captivates my mind for some unknown reason. There is an internal need and pressure to explore it. The mind at that point in time, when creating an artwork, gets totally engrossed and occupied with the mediums, form, strokes and colour, etc. It is a meditative mood, rounded with pensive moments.

The same is true, when the mind gets immersed while creating the abstraction and any other type and forms in art. The underlying thematic idea continues to be ‘genesis’ in all my styles, with a predominant undercurrent of subtle and evolving female energy. 

This truly gives a definite meaningful condition and determined direction to my art and life as a whole. I find all creation in fine arts to be related to instincts with the unquestionable and undeniable prevalence of sexuality in nature because of its roots in the interplay of positive and negative spiritedness,  but not necessarily only in its physical, corporeal and fleshy level but in its firm and solid roots in the genesis and in evolution and dissolution of the entire cosmic dance. 

As  Kahlil Gibran says:

"Your clothes conceal much of your beauty, yet they hide not the unbeautiful. And though you seek in garments the freedom of privacy you may find in them a harness and a chain. Would that you could meet the sun and the wind with more of your skin and less of your raiment, For the breath of life is in the sunlight and the hand of life is in the wind. Some of you say, "It is the north wind who has woven the clothes we wear. "And I say, Ay, it was the north wind, But shame was his loom, and the softening of the sinews was his thread. And when his work was done he laughed in the forest. Forget not that modesty is for a shield against the eye of the unclean. And when the unclean shall be no more, what were modesty but a fetter and a fouling of the mind? And forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet and the winds long to play with your hair".  

Meena Chopra is   a Toronto based author, artist.  She writes poetry both in English and Hindi. Born and raised in North India, she now lives in Mississauga

website: https://www.meenachopra.art/

Meena Chopra’s Book Launch & Art Exhibition @TAGTV Special Report …

For my poetry kindly Visit: English: http://ignitedlines.blogspot.com Hindi: http://ignitedlines.blogspot.com/ website: http://meenachopra17.wix.com/meena-chopra-artist

Meena Chopra's new creation “SHE! The Restless Streak - Poetry & Art”

Full Article: Generally About Books
"In her new book of poetry & art “SHE! The Restless Streak” Meena Chopra reveals the vibrant female force in the human element. Usually, an abstract painter and a nature poet Meena’s works in this book are semi-figurative female forms which complement her thematic poems on abstract female energy.
Her poetry has a unique ethereal quality and powerful story-like imagery which engages the reader to unfold the mystique hidden behind each and every work whether a poem or a painting. The book is both a visual and reader's delight".

For my poetry kindly Visit: English: http://ignitedlines.blogspot.com Hindi: http://ignitedlines.blogspot.com/ website: http://meenachopra17.wix.com/meena-chopra-artist

Participating at SUMMER SHOW 1 2018 at ART JUNCTION, Lalit Hotel @NEW DELHI

For my poetry kindly Visit: English: http://ignitedlines.blogspot.com Hindi: http://ignitedlines.blogspot.com/ website: http://meenachopra17.wix.com/meena-chopra-artist

“Mandala” Community art with Meena Chopra at TD Mosaic Festival on Saturday 12 Aug 2017.2pm in Celebration Square Mississauga

 COME AND JOIN AND UNLEASH YOUR CREATIVE SELF. ALL OF US WILL DO IT TOGETHER AT MOSAIC - The South Asian Festival of Mississauga

A "Mandala" making community activity has been just added to the "Visual Arts" section of TD Mosaic Festival. The "Mandala Ar"t activity will be led by Meena Chopra on Saturday 12 Aug 2017 2pm Celebration Square, mississauga.

COME AND JOIN AND UNLEASH YOUR CREATIVE SELF. ALL OF US WILL DO IT TOGETHER
__________________________________________
This project will be presented in Collaboration with RUNG DE ONE...the premiere color festival of Mississauga.
______________________________________________
Mandala art is in a circle which starts from the centre and progresses towards the periphery. It is a universal symbol and a gentle reflection of the self. It will be created with powdered colors involving the community participation.

You are welcome to join if interested. You may post your inclination
here or inbox me (Meena)
________________________________________
Meena Chopra , well known artist and instructor , will create a community project with attendees on Saturday 12th August at the Celebration Square at 2 pm.

For my poetry kindly Visit: English: http://ignitedlines.blogspot.com Hindi: http://ignitedlines.blogspot.com/ website: http://meenachopra17.wix.com/meena-chopra-artist

Eyes of Time: Art Show by Meena Chopra at Heritage Mississauga

EYES OF TIME - The eye as a channel into the new dimensions of life.
Art Exhibition by Artist and Author Meena Chopra
(Celebrating 150 years of Canada)

“Eyes wear the wings of time to fly beyond the cry of human desires, reveries and the realities, penetrating the boundaries of the visible universe into the unknown invisible realms.

OPENING RECEPTION:
Tuesday, 15th August at 6pm to 8:30pm
Host: Heritage Mississauga.

Exhibition is on view from 8th August to 15th September 2017
Venue: Heritage Mississauga 1921 Dundas St W, Mississauga, ON L5K 1R2. Phone:(905) 828-8411
_______________________________________

Eyes symbolize seeing and light, and therefore depicting consciousness itself, The eye is the part of us that beholds the universe and sees our place in it. It is knowledge, awareness and wisdom. The eye takes in light, the pure energy of the universe, and presents it to the inner spirit. It is the gateway, the very union, between the self and the cosmos”.
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“Aankhen uthin to dekha kaynaat jal rahi thi
jab ye jhukin to tum the aur kuchh bhi nahin”

Roughly translated: When the eyes rose outwardly they saw the entire universe afire. When they opened inwards, it was you and nothing but you (the one reality of life)

(Lines are from my Hindi poem titled “Aur Kuchh bhi nahin” (And Nothing Else) (from my Hindi collection “Adieu to the Dawn” – “Subah ka sooraj ab mera nahin hai”)"

Visit Website: http://meenachopra17.wixsite.com/meena-chopra-artist -Meena Chopra

For my poetry kindly Visit: English: http://ignitedlines.blogspot.com Hindi: http://ignitedlines.blogspot.com/ website: http://meenachopra17.wix.com/meena-chopra-artist

Truly honoured and humbled to be awarded the 1st place for the juried show 'Beyond' celebrating Canada's 150 years.

For my poetry kindly Visit: English: http://ignitedlines.blogspot.com Hindi: http://ignitedlines.blogspot.com/ website: http://meenachopra17.wix.com/meena-chopra-artist

EXPERIENCE MANDALA ART: Free Art Workshops at Central Library

Experience Mandala Art

Join local artist, author and educator Meena Chopra for a free workshop and learn how to create mandala art. Mandala, the Sanskrit word for "circle" or "completion", has a long history and is recognized for its deep meaning and representation of wholeness. Psychoanalyst Carl Jung has called it "a representation of the unconscious self." Spaces are limited and supplies will be provided. Admission is free. Registration is required. For more information and to register, please call the Arts & History Department 905-615-3500 ext. 3660.

Event Date(s):

July 15, 2017

Event Time(s): 2 - 4 pm

Location: Central Library - Classroom 3

301 Burnhamthorpe Road West,

Mississauga, Ontario

L5B 3Y3

Canada

Cost: Free

Library Link

Age group: From 10 years and above

Conducted by author and artist educator Meena Chopra

Date: 15th July

Time: 2pm to 4pm

Venue: Central Library Mississauga

For registration call: Arts and History Department at 905 615 3500 ext 3660 . Seats are limited

------------------------------------------------------------

Art Materials will be provided for the workshop.

For further details Visit Facebook Event Page: Mandala Art Workshop

https://www.facebook.com/events/2308538812703801/

Artusiasm a new art gallery in Toronto for art enthusiasts

For my poetry kindly Visit: English: http://ignitedlines.blogspot.com Hindi: http://ignitedlines.blogspot.com/ website: http://meenachopra17.wix.com/meena-chopra-artist

Volunteer Spotlight: Meet @meenachopra who has been working @SaugaMuseums all year at our events! #NVW2016 thank you

Volunteer Spotlight: Meet @meenachopra who has been working @SaugaMuseums all year at our events! #NVW2016 thank you pic.twitter.com/5nKFEySPuv

— Mississauga Museums (@SaugaMuseums) April 12, 2016

For my poetry kindly Visit: English: http://ignitedlines.blogspot.com Hindi: http://ignitedlines.blogspot.com/ website: http://meenachopra17.wix.com/meena-chopra-artist

13 नवम्बर 2015 की शाम दिल्ली के ललित होटल के 'आर्ट जंक्शन' में मीना चोपड़ा के कविता-संग्रह 'सूरज का सूरज अब मेरा नहीं है' का लोकार्पण हुआ।

13 नवम्बर 2015 की शाम दिल्ली के ललित होटल के 'आर्ट जंक्शन' में मीना चोपड़ा के कविता-संग्रह 'सूरज का सूरज अब मेरा नहीं है' का लोकार्पण हुआ।

Posted by सुबह का सूरज अब मेरा नहीं है: कविता संकलन - मीना चोपड़ा on Wednesday, November 18, 2015

For my poetry kindly Visit: English: http://ignitedlines.blogspot.com Hindi: http://ignitedlines.blogspot.com/ website: http://meenachopra17.wix.com/meena-chopra-artist

Wrapped, Tied and Tucked: Textiles from South Asia at Benaras Historic House Museum

My Mother Shakuntla Chopra's wedding Saree and duptta on Display at Benaras Historic House Museum. The Saree and duptta are over 85 years old.PHOTOS Courtesy Irfan Malik

Posted by Meena Chopra on Wednesday, October 21, 2015

For my poetry kindly Visit: English: http://ignitedlines.blogspot.com Hindi: http://prajwalitkaun.blogspot.ca/ website: http://meenachopra17.wix.com/meena-chopra-artist

Meena Chopra's Art & Poetry Show with live demonstration at the "India Pavilion' Carassauga Festival of Cultures, Mississauga

#Arts #Painting #Poetry #MississaugaI will be exhibiting my ART & POETRY along with live demonstration at the "India...
Posted by Meena Chopra - Artist & Poet on Thursday, May 21, 2015

For my poetry kindly Visit: English: http://ignitedlines.blogspot.com Hindi: http://ignitedlines.blogspot.com/ website: http://meenachopra17.wix.com/meena-chopra-artist

Meena Chopra's art and poetry show at the 'India Pavilion' at Carassauga Festival of Cultures, Mississauga.

I will be exhibiting my art and poetry at the India Pavilion at Carassauga Festival of Cultures. It opens on 23rd May....

Posted by Meena Chopra - Artist & Poet on Tuesday, May 12, 2015

For my poetry kindly Visit: English: http://ignitedlines.blogspot.com Hindi: http://ignitedlines.blogspot.com/ website: http://meenachopra17.wix.com/meena-chopra-artist

SHELF LIFE: A multicultural art show at Living Arts Centre

For my poetry kindly Visit: English: http://ignitedlines.blogspot.com Hindi: http://ignitedlines.blogspot.com/ website: http://meenachopra17.wix.com/meena-chopra-artist