An exponent of figurative style

Artexpo New York, the annual fine art destination is celebrating the 41st milestone this year. This year also they are hosting over 400 plus innovative exhibiting artists from 40- plus countries. Sonaly Gandhi is one of the artists and photographers participating from India. And this is the second time she is representing Telangana at the show.

"After a humongous success of my Solo Show at Artexpo, New York in 2018, I was very keen to participate again this year as well. At Artexpo New York, my experience of the contemporary international art and artists was very overwhelming and exciting. I had the opportunity to network and build relationships with famous artists, prominent galleries and eminent art collectors across the globe," Sonaly says.

Since they are the largest international expo for art, it has always been her dream to participate in this show. She submitted her application even this year for Artexpo New York2019 show to be held in April. "My application was reviewed by the jury of the Artexpo team and soon, they confirmed to me that I had been selected to display my works in their grand expo. I am looking forward to a very enriching and inspiring experience which I will be happy to share with my artist colleagues once I am back," she says.

Her work title is 'Contemporary Women' and she is displaying seven works. She says, "My style has always been figurative. The figures in my paintings, over the passage of time have evolved into powerful imagery. My paintings portray the relationships of the 21st-century men and women, their emotions and chemistry. The female form in my paintings is always prominent, to convey her social statements and represent today's contemporary women who are emotionally strong and independent."

"Each of my works start out as whiteboard sketching. And after a lot of iterations, deletions and additions, I arrive at a composition that conveys the story I want to narrate. Like a page from my diary, the subjects in my paintings are representational portraits of my everyday experiences, chance encounters, stories heard from friends, acquaintances and even strangers," Sonaly shares.

The women in my works are common she says, "Perfect symmetrical forms like squares, rectangles, checks and butterflies used by me to cover the human figures in my paintings are a simile of the striving for constant improvement and perfection of the contemporary human race."

About her inspiration she says, "I draw my inspiration from many artists of the past and the present. However, two artists who have had a great influence on me and my works are Amrita Sher-Gil and Anjolie Ela Menon. I have always been impressed by their bold works. Their attitude, approach and thought process have constantly impressed me and I am proud to be influenced by these renowned artists."