genesis 'Stillness in Motion' By Kavita Jaiswal: Hope Amid Chaos

In Stillness in Motion, Jaiswal not only presents her art, but also invites us to pause, reflect and reconnect with the deeper currents of existence.Photo: Credit - Kavita Jaiswal In Stillness in Motion, Jaiswal not only presents her art, but also invites us to pause, reflect and reconnect with the deeper currents of existence.Photo: Credit - Kavita Jaiswal

Stillness in Motion, an art exhibition by Kavita Jaiswal, is not just a visual experience. It is an invitation into the soul of the artist. It offers a glimpse into her profound and ongoing journey through abstraction, spirituality and the human condition. The exhibition, organised from November 22 at Art Heritage, Triveni Kala Sangam, New Delhi, to conclude on January 6, presents a collection of works—which resonate deeply with the viewer. It draws them into a space where time and motion and stillness and chaos coexist.

Jaiswal’s artistic evolution is a beautiful testament to her journey from form to formlessness. “My journey as an artist has been a transition from recognisable images to complete abstraction,” she reflects, and acknowledges that her art is an unfolding narrative of freedom—a theme that has always been central to her life. Each stroke, texture and composition is a conversation between her inner world and the external. Each piece speaks volumes of her experiences of joy, struggle and calm.

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Millions of Tears, 2023 Photo:Credit - Kavita Jaiswal Millions of Tears, 2023 Photo:Credit - Kavita Jaiswal Tracing The Journey Of Indian Art

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Through the rich textures and layers that fill her canvases, Jaiswal breaks open the boundaries of form. It allows the emotional essence of her works to flow freely. Abstraction for her is more than just a technique: it is a pathway to connect with the intangible. The viewer is invited into the shared space, where personal introspection intertwines with universal connection. “Abstraction enables me to break open the surface tension that binds a form together. It allows the intrinsic emotional value within the work to be released and take shape,” she says.

A prominent theme in her work is the symbolic presence of birds, their phoenix, hoopoe, simurgh and starlings, whose graceful flight symbolises transcendence, eternity and harmony. These birds, she believes, represent the natural flow of existence that moves effortlessly with the wind. “They act as reminders of how we, as human beings, often resist this natural flow,” she explains and reflects on humanity’s tendency to create imbalance through war, destruction and chaos. Yet, the divine force remains through all the pain and conflict, and it sustains and protects us.

Titled Prayer, one of the exhibition’s most poignant pieces, encapsulates this cry for balance and harmony. It is a powerful work. It calls out to the divine to restore order and peace in the turbulence of the world. On the other hand, the piece Millions of Tears evokes both sorrow and gratitude. It illustrates the fragility of life and the immense suffering caused by humanity’s disregard for the natural flow of life. There is also a profound sense of gratitude within this sorrow for the universal energy that continues to shelter and protect.

The Murmuration, 2024 Photo: Credit- Kavita Jaiswal The Murmuration, 2024 Photo: Credit- Kavita Jaiswal

Jaiswal taps into the deeper currents of interconnectedness among the many highlights of Stillness in Motion such as The Rosetta Stone. This piece explores the idea of unity that transcends borders, identities and conflicts. It is a reflection, as she so beautifully puts it, of “the interconnectedness of all things”, a universal force that binds us together beyond the visible divisions that separate us.

Art Heritage director Amal Allana has long observed Jaiswal’s work and spoken about its sensory qualities. “She conveys complex and intangible emotions. As a theatre director, her works appeal to me on a sensorial level,” she says. Through a thoughtful and discerning use of various mediums, including washi paper, crushed pumice stone, pen and ink, Jaiswal creates a textured surface that allows the viewer to feel the emotional undercurrents of each piece.

Rosetta Stone I, 2024 Photo: Credit- Kavita Jaiswal Rosetta Stone I, 2024 Photo: Credit- Kavita Jaiswal

She acknowledges the digital age’s influence on art. She uses technology to complement her hand-crafted pieces and bring a new depth to her work. In her video pieces, soundscapes and movement breathe life into her abstract compositions. It imbues them with a sensory dimension that goes beyond the static.

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A turning point in Jaiswal’s artistic journey occurred in 2007. She embraced her identity as a “spiritual seeker”. This spiritual awakening brought a deeper layer to her work. She began to address not just personal transformation, but also broader global issues. In Stillness in Motion, the recurring motif of the line becomes a focal point of exploration. The line’s varying thickness, density and fluidity mirror the complexities of the world and the human condition. It resonates with the themes of division, war and suffering that are prevalent today.

The exhibition’s understated palette of whites, grays and blacks invokes a sense of serene positivity. It provides a calming contrast to the tension and chaos present in the world around us. This palette, as Allana observes, imbues the works with a sense of tranquility. The lines embody both the stillness and motion inherent in our lives.

In Stillness in Motion, Jaiswal not only presents her art, but also invites us to pause, reflect and reconnect with the deeper currents of existence. Her work speaks of balance, transformation and unity. It offers hope amidst the chaos. It is a reminder that in the quiet moments of introspection, we may find the strength to restore harmony in our fractured world.

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