Morning rituals coffee, colour and memories. 2024. Soft pastel on paper. 126 cm x 118,8 cm

A depiction of my village backyard, where memories and the present intertwine. Nowadays, waking up in the morning, drinking coffee, colouring and soaking up the sun have become daily rituals. Everyone is absorbed in their work, but in the midst of the hustle and bustle, you often see small children picking flowers from the trees. A water tap stands next to the courtyard, which was once surrounded by towering coconut palms. We used to live in constant fear of falling coconuts. But now the big old coconut tree has disappeared and its coconuts are just a memory that decorates the garden. Our house was a hive of activity at every opportunity. Children gathering around the tap early in the morning, being led by their elders, playing in the dust and arguing innocently were the daily rituals of our former life, which are now just memories. All in all, daily life was a perpetual celebration.

Swimming 2. 2024. Soft pastel on paper. 118,8 cm x 126 cm

I had a dream in which I found myself bathing in the area in front of our village house, more precisely in the part where my uncle does daily agricultural activities. In this area, there is often uneven terrain with occasional accumulations of water, resulting in muddy water. As I emerged from the water, I noticed Anabas cobojius fish jumping around in the murky water. I decided to try to catch some of these fish. At the same time, my aunt came to take a bath with me. She seemed to be very big and strong. I managed to catch one fish, but it was covered with spikes. To prevent the fish from returning to the water, I gently knocked it to the ground. Some parts came out of the fish's neck, and I put it on the land next to it.

Picking Lotus Flowers from a Swamp on a Raft. 2023. Pastel on Paper. 189 cm x 179 cm

This enchanting painting takes me back to the happy days of my childhood, picking flowers during the Manasa Puja festival. The sacred lotus flowers, especially the royal podmo, were an integral part of the vibrant fabric in our village. The monsoon transformed our landscape into a watery canvas where the paddy fields were submerged by gentle floods, reflecting a poetic dance of liquid beauty. In this watery symphony, water lilies like shapla and shaluk added grace, while podmo flowers stood as serene symbols of purity. Fish thrived and brought vibrant colours to the green panorama. The locals, skilful navigators, used rafts made of banana trees and wooden boats to explore, fish and collect flowers. I, too, adopted this wonderful tradition and indulged in the joy of picking flowers. This painting captures the essence of this monsoon magic and preserves the nostalgic beauty of these timeless moments.

Swimming. 2023. Soft pastel on paper. 168 cm x 118.8 cm

The painting captures the timeless joy of community life around a tranquil pond. It reminds me of the pond in my village, a special place for everyone. The bamboo and wooden steps around the pond are old but are used every day for washing and bathing. We also wash dishes and clothes in the pond, and even our animals take a bath there. The pond is surrounded by trees with tasty fruits such as guavas, grapefruits, and mangoes. Sometimes ripe guavas fall into the pond, making it a delicious treat. The sunlight dances on the clear water, reflecting the harmony between man and nature. Families gather at the edge of the pond, their laughter and playful splashing creating a symphony of joy. Children frolic in the water, and their good humor is reflected in the dancing fish that break the surface.

Worn steps of bamboo, wood, and tree trunks lead down to the pond, a testimony to the enduring connection between the village and its treasured oasis. During wedding celebrations, the pond transforms into a center of communal celebration as fishermen cast their nets to harvest the fruits of the water, a symbol of shared prosperity.

Eating. 2023. Soft pastel on paper. 168 cm X 118,8 cm

Talks about the calm of eating in a pretty place and the hidden worry of danger. It asks: Are there unseen predators? Is control just a feeling in life's busy rhythm?
A living world unfolds in the painting, reflecting our own with beauty and danger, freedom and compulsion. The natural blends seamlessly into the artificial, creating a vibrant landscape full of life that invites us to explore the depths of existence. Just like our bodies, it serves as a wondrous vessel that surrounds us. The dry pastel colors emphasize the fragility of our human existence.
In this fantastical realm, life and death unfold between predator and prey, mirroring the ebb and flow of our experiences. Everyday actions, such as eating, gain significance against this backdrop. The barcodes on the mountains remind us that our technological and natural worlds are interwoven and shape our perceptions. They cause us to question our existence. Like the characters in the painting, we must navigate the complexities of life and define our unique journey.