An endeavour to reconnect with nature

John Ruskin has said, "Nature is painting for us, day after day, pictures of infinite beauty if only we have the eyes to see them."

And Supriya Sathe abides by that saying with her works in an exhibition titled, 'Ataraxia'. It is a Greek term used by Pyrrho and subsequently epicurus for a lucid state of robust equanimity, characterized by ongoing freedom from distress and worry. The ancient Greek author Sextus Empiricus gave this definition: "ataraxia is an untroubled and tranquil condition of the soul."

Supriya's art is an exploration of the outside and the inside and contemplating the line that divides them. Her landscapes exemplify that divide by seeming natural enough to fit right into the real world despite being purely imaginary, alien yet familiar.

Ataraxy in common use denotes a serene state of calmness. The kind of calmness only nature can offer.

Nature offers a special solace to the human mind – one that separates it from the existential anxiety that plagues us all.

Through her art she makes an effort to capture the vitality and vibrancy of nature and bring it into the domestic scene. She tries to give tangible and static form to a single moment she envisions within the borderless and dynamic world that surrounds us.

"I am a landscape artist usually painting surreal landscapes. I paint using acrylics on canvas. I like to use bold colours and different textures to make the painting come alive on my canvas," said the artist whose exhibition would be at display from April 28 to May 4 at India International Centre from 11 am to 7 pm.

She finds inspiration in the breathtaking vistas she discovers during her travels – be it strolling along beaches of India or hiking through the trails of Norway. Her art is about paying tribute to nature's bounty.

Talking about her inspiration, she further added, "Every once in a while my heart longs to take a break from the city and stand in front of a sea or on a mountain or even just in a park, where I can see all the wonderful colours of trees, hear the birds or the waves and just feel peace and happiness within. That is where I draw my inspiration from. I think art in any medium should uplift the soul and bring peace to the mind. Having lived in the UK and travelled extensively around the world I try to capture my beautiful memories of nature on canvas and aim to transport the viewer to these wonderful places."

That is where I draw my inspiration from. I think art in any medium should uplift the soul and bring peace to the mind. Having lived in the UK and travelled extensively around the world I try to capture my beautiful memories of nature on canvas and aim to transport the viewer to these wonderful places."