Gowri
Another name for the Goddess - Parvathi, "Gowri" is a series based on human nature, women and sexuality that I worked on through 2017. Inspired by impressionist paintings, this series is done entirely in Acrylic on canvas and is traditional in execution.
Parvati is the goddess of fertility and love and she represents divine strength and power. Being the epitome of feminine perfection, there are over a 100 names that Parvathi has been given - each representing a different attribute...most of which any woman would find within herself...
While, my entire series may not be based on Her - the basis of each painting lies in the concept behind her character.
"Gowri - 1"
Acrylic on Canvas
There is an innocence in every young girl that shows through her eyes. It is not jaded, her mind has not formed bitter conclusions, she is only just discovering her sexuality, aspirations and has a power within her that no one else can imagine.
She realises that she has the power of creation within her and as frightening that thought may be in the beginning, it soon grows to be the very basis of her confidence.
"Rest - 1"
Acrylic on Canvas
To every strong woman, there is a side to her that she cannot explain.
A dormant and peaceful masculinity that fuels her desire and completes her being.
"Rest - 2"
Acrylic on Canvas
Hard work, tireless love, hope, peace and prayer...
A woman gives till it hurts and nurtures even if no one else nurtures her.
When she has done all she can to be a good person, she rests in peace.
"Gowri - 2"
Acrylic on Paper
"Infancy"
Acrylic on Canvas
I Cry, I'm hungry, I throw tantrums.. im a full grown baby. And yet, at some point, I'm going to be a mother . I'm going to carry my own baby. And I noticed how I'm not the only one . We're all just babies making more babies.. So to speak...
Its like we're forever living in Infancy...
Its like we're forever living in Infancy...
"The Slums"
Acrylic on Canvas
we stack our problems , thoughts, debts, insecurities etc. Up throughout our lives. We build our own, poorly kept concrete jungles in our minds ... Just like slums. We're hanging our dirty laundry out in public, housing our issues , leaving them unaddressed and taking on some more.
"Gowri - 3"
Acrylic on Canvas
We all need a break sometimes.
It doesn't matter how and it doesn't matter where...
"Goodfellas"
Acrylic on Paper
Every woman deserves a night on the town.
She deserves to kick up her heels, laugh unashamedly, sing her heart out and feel safe all the while.
What she does not deserve is to be groped, leered at, hooted at or followed.
"Gowri - 4"
Acrylic on Canvas
Every woman : as powerful and loving as she is - also has a fire within her that can destroy.
What she must learn - is not to destroy her own kind.
"Gowri - 5"
Acrylic on Paper
Women's bodies withstand time, birth, pain and sickness..
So why hide?
"Gowri - 6"
Acrylic on Canvas
We must all take these cardboard boxes off our heads.
We must start accepting people for who they are and most importantly be grateful for the people in our lives.
We must be grateful for the friends who have our backs, for our partners who are by our sides and for our families who never leave us.
Only then will we feel perfectly happy.
"Goans"
Acrylic on Canvas
Here are some quirky people I met in Goa.
"Krishna"
Acrylic on Paper
"Gowri - Release"
Acrylic on Canvas
We, as women - spend so much time nurturing the things and people we love.
When some things come to an end, we find it very hard to let go.
But we must.
With release comes peace.
"Stories"
Digital Art on Canvas
Everything we have ever lived through is recorded in the palms of our hands.
"Grounded"
Digital Art on Canvas
We may grow, we may move on, we may excel at what we do but the most important thing to remember is to stay firmly grounded.
These are photographs of original works of art by Pranati Khanna.
None of this work will be reproduced.
