Delhi artist Ashna Malik explores philosophy through patterns and vibrant colours

When Delhi-based artist Ashna Malik started working on the artworks for 'Lines of Inquiry', she was in an exploratory phase. While she did want to push herself to make it more visually engaging than before, it was only later that the artist, whose works are on display at Method in Kala Ghoda, had a realisation. It was about how through these works, she was trying to challenge the perception of the viewer, and their way of looking and understanding the world. It is only because Malik believes people's view has been limited till now.

Even though she started work on them in 2019, the Covid-19 pandemic helped the works evolve because she had more time to create. Interestingly, this work uses a lot of lines as patterns and vibrant colours, one that the 25-year-old artist has honed along the way, and that is also what makes these artworks different, apart from the fact that she has used different mediums to enhance her compositions. If there's one aspect of her work that these artworks depict, it is that Malik has gone beyond the traditional techniques. Simply because she finds them to be limiting in her scope of work, and in fact, it is quite fascinated by the intersection of art and technology.

Mid-day Online spoke to Malik to understand more about her latest exhibition of artworks, and how it is different from all of her other works till now. She also dwells on her fascination with philosophy as well as the interplay of lines, colours and patterns, the use of different mediums to push the boundaries of art, and how the Covid-19 pandemic played a role in these artworks.

The edited excerpts are reproduced below:

What inspired you to create 'Lines of Inquiry'?
When I first started creating this body of work in 2019, I did not know why I was creating what I was creating; but these visuals would constantly keep coming to me and I would constantly try to push the limits of how optically engaging I could make my compositions. As I created them, I was forced to question why that was my aim in these creations.

Upon introspection, I realised I was trying to challenge the viewers perception and their way of looking and understanding the world around them. So, I was attempting to distort their actual reality by creating optical plays. This urge came from constant reminders I find myself having of just how limited our human perception and understanding of reality is. We as humans create an understanding of the world around us based on the limited information we pick up. But there is more to reality than what we see, and my work nudges the viewer to that realisation.

How would you say 'Lines of Inquiry' is different from all your other works till now?
The works featured in this show stand apart from my earlier works because I have used years of trial and error to hone the technique. I create them and really push my use of pattern and colour as I have become more comfortable with the medium. Along with that, I also really tried to push the use of different mediums to enhance the optical plays I create and achieve the aim of this body of work.

You have used paintings, interactive projections, and laser cut wall sculptures. What is it about the simultaneous use of traditional media and digital media that attracts you to use them both in your exhibitions?
There is only so much we can do with traditional techniques and that can be restricting. I wanted to bring in digital tools to move past the limitations of physical mediums and immerse the viewer even more and achieve effects that would not be possible working with tangible materials. I am also really fascinated by the intersection of technology and its use in art making. In all of my physical work, I also use various digital tools and technology to create them, so I am constantly experimenting with different software.

The artworks include dynamic lines and vibrant colours creating a marvellous optical illusion. What is your idea behind using these elements to depict the philosophical subject?
Line and colour though may seem like very simple elements, hold unlimited possibilities. Colour theory teaches you how colours interact with each other and the power they hold to cause actual physiological reactions in your body. Colour is interesting because much like our human perception and behaviour, colours are perceived differently depending on their environment or the other colours placed around it. Similarly, humans are also perceived differently depending on the situation we are in or the people we are around.

'Lines of Inquiry' is an attempt to make the viewer question the nature of their own reality. Have you always been interested in philosophy and has it led to self-discovery for you over the years?
From a very young age, I was exposed to the idea of spirituality and brought up with spiritual values. I believe one of the first realisations one has on this journey is that there is more to reality than just what we see and know, and we must explore that. That's where the conceptual idea of this work comes from. This thought of broadening my perception and understanding is something I constantly remind myself of. It helps me grow as a person, discover myself, my capabilities and not limit myself as well as apply the same thought to others and the situations around me.

Have these experiences found their way into your art, and thus have you evolved as an artist?
These ideas are a constant through my work and what I'm trying to covey, but I also to try to apply them to the process of creating the work: understanding the reason I'm creating them, constantly trying to evolve and adapt, pushing my limits, learning patience and how to set your vision but at the same time trust the process and let go and so much more.

Was 'Lines of Inquiry' a product of the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdown or was it already in the works?
I started creating this body of work in 2019, before the pandemic started, so it wasn't a result of the pandemic, but the work did evolve exponentially during the period as I experimented more, had more time to create, had to adapt to newer working conditions and lack of supplies after I lost access to my studio, but the entire time was very fruitful for the growth of my work and myself.

How did you spend the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdown? Did the period influence your art?
I spent Covid 19 in Savannah, Georgia, locked down alone in my apartment. All my friends had left the city and I was alone for the entire duration. Despite that, I found it to be an extremely productive time for me, a time that brought a lot of peace and helped me focus.

The pandemic was also a time when there were a lot of online exhibitions and now that there is a mix of both, do you prefer online exhibitions or physical exhibitions or a mix of both?
I think every artist will give the same answer, which is that we definitely prefer physical exhibitions. Viewing art via a screen will never do any work justice, physical art is meant to be seen and experienced in person and something online will unfortunately never be able to translate that experience. Also, as an artist one of the best parts about having a show is watching people interact and view your work and we can't witness that online.

Are you currently working on any new artworks and what subjects are you looking to dabble in through them?
I am currently brainstorming visuals for what to create next. I think I will still be exploring similar concepts and ideas that I am currently but the goal with whatever I create next is to try something new and push the experience through different mediums.

Where: Method, Kala Ghoda
When: On till May 28
Time: 2 pm onwards

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