The Fantasy Pond

An alumnus of the JJ School of Art, Kanika, began with the hope of transforming tales from history and mythology into a modern style. However, it was not just the story, but the characters that she was drawn to. Drawing in a modern style gives her the freedom to reimagine people, settings and conversation in a whole new panorama. Secondly, the rigorous nature of mythology – each with a moral takeaway elucidates the schisms that arise in contemporary society. It is this bridge that her art desires to cross. As characters evolve and express themselves, her artwork forms a narrative of their message. The artist primarily uses monochromatic colours and palettes to heighten the narrative and draw out emotions rather than vistas, using pen on paper mostly as her medium. She derives most of her inspiration from strong characters of history, saints and some abstract surrealism. Characters who may not be the protagonist or the most popular, but whose very presence unravels the relationships between the protagonists.