Truly Yours, 2024

“Truly Yours” is inspired by the intricate love stories of Krishna and the gopis as depicted in Indian miniatures. These ancient narratives, rich in emotion and symbolism, serve as the foundation for my painting. I begin the creative process by immersing myself in these stories, allowing them to guide the mark making on canvas. The creation of “Truly Yours” is an intuitive process, where the painting evolves organically, layer by layer. I approach the canvas with a sense of openness, letting each layer build upon the last, gradually revealing figures and details that seem to emerge naturally from the surface. This method allows the narrative to unfold in a way that feels both spontaneous and deliberate, as if the story is discovering itself as much as I am discovering it. As I work through these layers, the figures begin to come to life, each one contributing to the overall composition. “Truly Yours,” love is not confined to the central figures of Krishna and the gopis. Instead, it permeates the entire scene. Even the birds, often overlooked in the background of traditional miniatures, become carriers of this emotion. They symbolize the omnipresence of love, fluttering through the scene as messengers of affection and connection. This work is about embracing the idea that love is everywhere. It is not just a feeling shared between two people but a universal force that touches every aspect of life. In “Truly Yours,” love flows through the trees, the sky, and the very fabric of the painting itself. The delicate balance of colours, the interplay of light and shadow, and the intricate details all contribute to this Painting.

Panchali Sheth is an Indian-Australian artist based in Sydney, working from her studio in Forest Lodge. She holds a Master of Art (MA) and a Master of Fine Art (MFA) from the College of Fine Arts, UNSW. Her work draws from the intricate details of Indian miniatures as a starting point to create rich narratives, which then evolve into a dynamic interplay of abstraction, figurative elements, and textures. Panchali’s creative process begins with the canvas laid flat, where she swiftly and energetically makes marks, draws, and applies paint. As figures emerge, she engages in a push-and-pull process, alternating between abstraction and refinement, slowing down as the narrative develops. Panchali has completed prestigious residencies in France (2021) and New York with the School of Visual Arts (2023) and is scheduled for a residency in Rajasthan, India, in 2024. Her vibrant works, reflecting a blend of Indian culture and Western abstraction, have been showcased in numerous group and solo exhibitions, earning her recognition as a finalist in many art competitions.