This year, the skill I have chosen to pursue is art, specifically Indian folk art. Indian folk art has a rich and vibrant history, as art has always been an important part of Indian culture. It has been used to represent mythological stories and beliefs of people in that culture. It has also been used to express the inner creativity of people, using satisfying shapes and strokes.
Why:
I have chosen this because I have always had a great interest in art. I have never been great at it, but I believe that I just need the right practice. I have chosen specifically Indian folk art because of the meaning it has to my family’s culture. We come from India, and I have always been fascinated by the culture because of its age and how it’s still popular today. I also have practiced certain forms of Indian folk art before in school, such as mandalas, and I believe that my experience in these is a good starting point.
What:
I will learn specific styles of Indian folk art, as there are many different styles with many differences between them. The styles I want to focus on are a style called Warli painting, a form of tribal art, and another form called Madhubani. This form of art is very popular, and originates from the area of Bihar in India. It is used to represent mythological themes, themes of love, and the beauty of nature. As well as learning how to create these art forms, I will also hope to learn about their history and cultural significance. I want to learn about their evolution, and how different art styles might possibly be connected. I also want to learn if there are any folk stories behind these forms of art.
Outline:
In the first few weeks, I want to learn Warli art and painting. My plan is to finish this by 4 weeks, having lessons every other weekend. After finishing this, I want to focus on more complex forms of art, as Warli is better for beginners. I don’t completely know what styles my mentor will choose yet, we will discuss that as we go depending on how much I learn, but I know that styles like Mural, Lippan and Madhubani are options we have. At the end of the project, I will create an exhibition of my works. This will be either in person, using tables to show different art projects and some basic information, or a Powerpoint presentation that will be shared online with pictures of my work.
Challenge:
My challenge to myself will be to create an original piece of art using only the name of the art style I need to make as guidance. I want to be able to recall most of what I learned about this, and use my knowledge and creativity to create something unique. I also want to be able to explain why this style is unique from others, and the significant history behind this.
Vision:
My vision is similar to my challenge, as I want to be able to create different forms of art. I also, however, want to use the skills I learn in these lessons and apply them to different forms of art. I think it will be very interesting to see if that’s possible, and if it is, I can do research as to if there is a historical reason for those forms being similar. One of these reasons could be trade across many nations, etc. I also want to be able to arrange for materials I may need to create this form of art, and use little to no notes as resources.
My Mentor:
My mentor is Deepshikha Varma, a family member who lives in India. She offers lessons to students, both in person and online through zoom. She has agreed to give me lessons for the next few months, and if everything runs smoothly we may continue these lessons in the future. I have met her a few times in person, but as she lives in India, the lessons will be online.