Artist Bio - Manisha Agrawal

CONCEPT NOTE

Most of us growing up have heard about how more than half the species currently occupying earth will go extinct by 2100. The current epoch popularly termed Anthropocene, in many ways articulates the negative human impact on earth& its ecology. It problematises the issues of land use, human encroachment, excessive dependency on fossil fuels, and so on within the larger context of negative human impact. Artist's have been responding to these challenges through various research-based practices, where the said research becomes the artwork in many cases.
Manisha Agrawal'ss works in this regard take a different route. Her extensive research takes the form of intricately rendered details of the negative human impact on the fauna around us. The visuals take center stage in her work. The tiger inside a jar, triggers a sense of urgency with which conservation and preservation strategies need to be adapted as well as adopted. With the portrayal of familiar objects, within indisputable situations, Agrawal's works take the form of an instrument of ecological awareness.

Artist Statement

Man’s relationship with nature has myriad forms. In a society where birds and animals are not only a part of our religious landscape being vahana’s of various gods and goddesses, they are also considered auspicious. However, it is also a fact that we continue to destroy the precious lives and habitats of these creatures we deem so important.
Using a series of allegorical elements and visual narrative tools my works take the form of an instrument of ecological awareness. My extensive research leads us to intricately rendered details of the negative human impact on the bird and animal life. In my paintings I try to light up that many species are facing habitat destruction and are slowly inching towards extinction. I feel their sensations that pass through my mind and try to portray them in a contemporary language in realistic and miniature style.
Environmental disaster, Animal endangered and Flowers-going to dies, are the titles of my paintings in which I depict forests turning into forests of cement and the whole atmosphere stricken by humankind. The series “Flowers going to dies” is based on a research about 3000 types of flower species that have slowly disappeared, which my generation has not seen. To keep the memories of the flowers that I see daily, I have illustrated them on paper that future generation will never see. In these compelling compositions that are devoid of any embellishment or any other background elements, I chose to put the species in stark focus.
The visuals take center stage in my works, as you can see majestic jungle beasts, birds and humble cattle beings suspended in bottles and preservations. I believe preservation strategies need to be adapted as well as adopted…

Manisha Agrawal.