Mehak Garg (b. 1999, Faridabad, Haryana) is a visual artist from India who predominantly works with oil on canvas. She completed her Bachelor’s in Fine Arts from Amity University, Noida, in the year 2021, and later pursued a Master’s in Fine Arts from College of Fine Arts, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, in 2023. Currently resides in Kerala, where she practises her art.
SP: Could you walk us through your artistic process? What inspired you to pursue arts?
MG: The psychological and emotional aspects of our lives are just as real and significant as the material world we perceive with our senses. My art delves into the psychological and emotional aspects of human existence, giving form to intangible feelings and experiences. I aim to capture the essence of human life, showcasing the closeness and detachment between humans through visual connections and subdued colours. The dialogue that emerges among the subjects in my artwork takes place within a psychological atmosphere of complete silence, yet the emotional intensity can be felt strongly. This closeness between the figures evokes a spectrum of emotions, ranging from feelings of intimacy and comfort to tension and intrigue. The way I arrange the forms in the artwork is vital in shaping the narrative and setting the mood I intend to convey. By manipulating forms and spaces, I try to create thought-provoking compositions that invite viewers to reflect on their own lives and relationships.
Furthermore, the use of subdued tones of colour enhances the overall ambiance, evoking a sense of pause in time, interval or emptiness in space. By employing subdued colours, I try to evoke a sense of calmness, tranquillity, or introspection. The muted tones create a contemplative mood and invite viewers to reflect on a deeper level.
Being from a middle class family, it’s very difficult to pursue a profession with such high aspirations, but having a supportive family is a blessing and a motivation in itself. Honestly, I don’t really remember what or who inspired me to pursue arts back then when I was a kid. Was it something I saw, was it something I felt or experienced, or was it something that someone ever said to me after having a look at my kiddish artworks. But my life experiences have played a significant part in shaping my artistic narrative.
Photo Credit: Mehak Garg
After enrolling in a bachelor’s degree program, I found my inspiration drawn from the works of great masters, including some of my favourites like Edward Hopper, Gustav Klimt, Paul Gauguin, Lucian Freud, Edgar Degas, and many others. However, as time passed, I realised that inspiration isn’t confined to specific sources or fixed notions. Instead, it’s about the emotions and experiences I encounter in the present moment that ignite my creativity. I’ve developed a habit of capturing photographs of subjects that intrigue me or evoke a certain feeling. Later, I revisit these images, allowing myself to delve deeper into the emotions they elicit. This process of introspection fuels my creative process, enabling me to translate those captured moments into my drawings and paintings.
SP: How do you approach colour and perspective within your work? Is there a particular motivation to employ subdued colours?
MG: In my artistic practice, the careful consideration of colour tones and perspective is fundamental. I meticulously select subdued tones to enhance the overall atmosphere, fostering a sense of pause, interval, or emptiness. These muted hues instil feelings of calmness, tranquillity, and introspection, creating a silent psychological atmosphere rich in emotional depth. Colours have the remarkable ability to evoke specific emotions and moods, serving as the cornerstone of my creative process. I believe that each colour carries its own unique energy and narrative, influencing the viewer’s perception and emotional response. These muted colours have a subtle yet profound effect, allowing the viewer to immerse themselves in the artwork and contemplate its deeper meaning. Whether it’s a tranquil blue or a muted grey, each colour contributes to the creation of a psychological atmosphere that speaks volumes without uttering a word.
Moreover, I employ multiple perspectives within my works to offer a nuanced exploration of reality. By presenting different viewpoints simultaneously, I invite viewers to consider the complexities and contradictions inherent in human experience.
Photo Credit: Mehak Garg
SP: You mention capturing the essence of life by portraying closeness and detachment among individuals. What was the inspiration behind selecting such themes? What are the feelings that you want to evoke in the observers through your art?
MG: During the COVID-19 pandemic, when we were all confined to our homes and had ample time for introspection, I came to a profound realisation about the silence surrounding people’s innermost thoughts. At that time, I was in my third year of bachelor’s, trying to maintain composure amidst the uncertainty, much like many others. The atmosphere was heavy with a myriad of emotions — sorrow, happiness, intrigue, shock, anger, calmness, and pauses. These collective experiences deeply influenced my artistic journey, prompting me to introspect and understand my own life better.
Despite being surrounded by people physically, there was a pervasive sense of detachment at a mental level. This feeling of being present yet mentally absent lingered within me, shaping my perceptions and artistic practice. Through my compositions, I strive to evoke a spectrum of emotions, ranging from feelings of intimacy and comfort to tension and intrigue in viewers and convey experiences that transcend verbal description.
Photo Credit: Mehak Garg
Photo Credit: Mehak Garg
SP: How does art enable you to interpret human emotions? Moving forward, what emotions and feelings would you like to explore through your work?
MG: Art serves as a powerful medium that bridges the material world and the internal world of emotions that shape us all. Through my artistic practice, I delve into the silent nuances of human experience, capturing the complexities of emotions that often go unspoken. The composition of forms, manipulation of light, and careful selection of colours allow me to evoke a spectrum of feelings—from mysticism and calmness to loneliness and isolation, and from intimacy and comfort to tension and intrigue in the viewer.
I find myself drawn to quiet, introspective moments in everyday life, with themes of loneliness and isolation piquing my interest. These themes resonate deeply with me, reflecting the profound impact of the pandemic on our collective psyche. Through art, I seek to capture these nuanced emotions and invite viewers to reflect on their own experiences of solitude and introspection in the modern world.
My artistic exploration is a reflection of the complex interplay between external realities and internal landscapes, offering a visual narrative that speaks to the depths of human emotion and experience.
Photo Credit: Mehak Garg
SP: Who are the subjects in your work — are they real people, a composite of various people, or are they purely from your imagination?
MG: In my artistic endeavours, the subjects depicted in my work are not merely figures, but rather real individuals whom I refer to as models. These models are not only drawn from my immediate circle of family or colleagues, but also from diverse backgrounds and walks of life.
Photo Credit: Mehak Garg
SP: Could you give insights into how you perceive and explore spatiality and intellectuality through your art?
MG: The interaction between our minds and the spaces we inhabit is a fascinating aspect of human experience. From the moment we enter a space, our minds are engaged in a complex interplay of emotions, memories, and perceptions. Each space has its own unique energy and atmosphere, which can evoke a multitude of emotions and feelings. Whether it’s the cosy warmth of a familiar home, the bustling energy of a crowded city street, or the serene tranquillity of a natural landscape, different spaces elicit different responses from each individual. Our past experiences, memories, and personal associations with a particular space play a significant role in shaping how we perceive and interact with it.
Moreover, spaces have the power to trigger introspection and reflection. As we move through a space, we may find ourselves recalling past experiences, reliving cherished memories, or contemplating the significance of our surroundings. Whether it’s a childhood home filled with nostalgia or a quiet park bench that offers solace and contemplation, spaces serve as catalysts for introspection and self-discovery.
Photo Credit: Mehak Garg
In my artistic practice, I perceive and explore spatiality and intellectuality as interconnected elements that shape the viewer’s experience and engagement with the artwork.
Spatiality, for me, encompasses more than just physical dimensions — it’s about creating a sense of depth, movement, and immersion within the canvas. Through careful composition, perspective, and manipulation of forms and colours, I strive to construct dynamic spatial relationships that draw viewers into the scene, inviting them to explore and navigate the visual landscape.
Image Courtesy: Mehak Garg
Find out more about the artist and her artworks:
