How Mumbai artist Srushti Rao’s new exhibition at Nehru Art Gallery explores her fascination with time and space

Navi Mumbai artist Srushti Rao has been mesmerised by the concept of time and space for as long as she can remember. Such is her fascination with the two subjects that it has trickled into her art over the years and occupies a very important part in her daily discourse too. So much so, that she doesn't limit it to just her art but also to activities beyond. She shares, "My understanding of the concept of time and space is evolving daily. I read whatever is available in this context: spiritual, philosophical, quantum physics, and astrophysics. I am trying to understand the variables and the perspectives through reading and listening to podcasts."

More specifically, the trained artist, who is also a management professional, is enamoured by how both these concepts dictate human behaviour and realise that she will forever be a student learning through art. In her latest exhibition, 'Visual Chronologies and Discursive Binaries', Rao showcases a collection of her works - ‘Transposed', ‘A Chasm in Time' and ‘Transcendence'. These series of works have been created by her in the last year, and though they are independent, the artworks yet have some kind of synergy in the thought process, that she has brought to the fore.

The exhibition brings together artworks from three different series - A Chasm in Time (left), Transposed (right), and Transcendence. Photo Courtesy: Srushti Rao

Mid-day Online spoke to Rao to understand more about her latest exhibition, the process, and fascination with the concept of time and space. The city-based artist also dwells on how she works with different mediums, the influence of the Covid-19 pandemic, and why she prefers physical exhibitions over online exhibitions.

Here are edited excerpts:

What is it about time and space that intrigues you and makes you want to explore their relationship with human behaviour in art?
I believe that there is a deep relationship between how we perceive time and space and how we respond to those. The response is what reflects in our behaviour. Oftentimes, we may be in the ‘best of times' but if the ‘space that we occupy' at the moment is not conducive then we may respond differently as opposed to reversing the dynamic. I have moved homes, cities, schools, and workplaces and have had the privilege of travelling throughout my life. This has all added to my experiences of how people, and I, in particular, respond to the shift of time and space. Also, if we zoom out and scope the perception of time and space to the cosmic plane, then the whole idea of it changes. It is no more about you and me, it has a deeper spiritual and existential meaning.

How is this exhibition different from all your other works till now? What made you bring together your three series - Transposed, A Chasm in Time and Transcendence?
I keep painting and that is why I exist. For me, I progress in each of the works I have done as time goes on. The current exhibition is just a coming together of various works that I have been doing in the past year. For some reason, all of these works are synergetic in the thought process, while they represent a different aspect of the thought I am exploring, they somehow deal with the fundamental inquiry that I have towards life which is that of time and space.

In the process, what made you arrive at 'Visual Chronologies and Discursive Binaries'? Has your understanding of time and space thus evolved ever since you started exploring it as a theme in art?
This title came up when Johny ML, a renowned art critic, curator and writer from Delhi wrote an essay on my current show. His interpretation of my works is available in the essay, and I deeply resonate with a lot of what he has commented on or derived from my works. It was incredible that he could read my mind through the brush strokes.

Yes, my understanding of the concept of time and space is evolving every day. I read whatever is available in this context: spiritual, philosophical, quantum physics, and astrophysics. I am trying to understand the variables and the perspectives through reading and listening to podcasts.

What are some of the challenges you face while putting this deeply philosophical subject on canvas? Does it often lead to reinterpreting your past work or the art in progress that you are creating on the canvas?
Artists revisit their past concepts/works/representations all the time, and I am no different. While I may completely disregard some of my old works, others give me a starting point for my thought process. I do not face any challenges from an artistic standpoint while working on my pieces. However, more often than not, all people do not immediately understand the deeper meaning of these works, which is understandable. Art for many people is the literal representation of our ‘seen' world. Abstractionists work on the ‘unseen' or the ‘unfathomable' world around us. I am also intrigued by how some people who have seen my work, derive a deep yet unintended meaning from the works. That too is an interesting conversation to have.

For this exhibition, you have used acrylic as your medium. What are the mediums that you usually use, and do you feel the need to change them based on your theme?
Currently, I am working on acrylic on linen canvas. It is more convenient in the weather conditions that we have. Although my favourite medium continues to be oil. My change of medium isn't dependent as much on the subject of what I am working on as opposed to the weather and the urgency with which I want to work. I also work on mixed mediums on paper, I am at the moment experimenting with installations, exploring how my works could be represented in a 3-dimensional language.

Did the past few years of the Covid-19 pandemic influence your art in any way, and will we see it in your art in the future?
The lockdown deeply impacted my work. Two series - ‘The Chasm in Time' and ‘Transcendence' are a result of the lockdown. I was already working on ‘Transposed' but it took its current form during the pandemic. I am working on some more thoughts and perhaps we could see them shortly. Or, I may just continue working on the current series till I am done with saying what I have to say through it. I cannot say for sure at this point.

With the Covid-19 pandemic, there was also talk of online exhibitions instead of physical exhibitions. Which one do you prefer and why, or do you think both can co-exist?
I have been a part of a few online exhibitions during the pandemic. I missed the human interaction at the time. What also changed during the pandemic is the NFTs market for serious artists. A couple of my works are being represented by a gallery in its NFT form. I do believe that both forms of exhibitions can exist - online and offline. However, I personally prefer physical exhibitions. The conversations and interaction with the audience fuel artists with a lot of things to reflect upon. That is crucial for an artist's growth. The give and take of energies are important, and that happens primarily in physical shows.

What: Visual Chronologies and Discursive Binaries
Where: Nehru Art Gallery, Worli, Mumbai
When: On till May 1