Creativity permeates scholastic excellence

Economic wellbeing, family responsibilities and social status have little to do in individual pursuit of education and achievement, the proof of which we saw in Auckland last week.

We were present at the graduation ceremony of the School of Art & Design of the AUT University held at the Civic Theatre on December 10 to greet Laxmi Jhunjhnuwala, who was among the illustrious achievers.

It was an emotional moment when Laxmi called her husband Sudesh and their daughters Tulika, Kanika and Vedika for a family portrait at the onsite studio.

“We are all proud of Laxmi; she achieved what she wanted – a graduate degree from a reputed university in a specialty for which she has a passion,” Mr Jhunjhnuwala told Indian Newslink.

It was no mean achievement for a homemaker.

And what a home she has made!

As her husband pored over plans for construction of their stately home in Central Auckland, Laxmi gave vent to creativity, not just in interior decorations (which had her paintings) but also in shades, lighting and other effects.

There were arguments of course, but the winner was unquestionably the artist.

Painting comes naturally for Laxmi, who was born into a conservative Rajasthani family but raised and educated in New Delhi.

It was not until her marriage to Mr Jhunjhnuwala almost 25 years ago (the couple will mark their Silver Jubilee in February 2010) when she moved to Hong Kong that opportunities presented themselves for the painter in her to surface.

Experiments Galore

She began with oil paintings and soon went on to execute other forms including acrylic and pigments, the last of which is her area of concentration today.

Landscapes, portraits and abstracts attract her interest.

Laxmi said she aimed to explore, expose and extol formal relationships and a “dialogue between space and architecture creating a spatial experience.”

Experimentation, creating works using walls, floors, ceilings, and three-dimensional aspects of space are among the subjects that appeal to her.

“I want to add new depth and dimension to familiar spaces. I utilise different shapes, pigment and colour to make work on the wall, which extends onto the floor and ceiling. They create an illusion and play to become both two and three-dimensional,” she wrote on her website (www.laxmijhunjhnuwala.com) that she was interested in the notion of materiality in the physical, philosophical and theosophical senses.

“I am exploring materials like paint, pigments, plastics, wood, turmeric, chilli and flour, to create an ecstatic vision that overwhelms the viewers with a sense of mystery and emotion. The natural materials and pigments transcend themselves, rendering meaning and experience to the viewers,” she said.

The turmeric experiment in her home became an exhibit at an AUT exhibition this year but the “real thing” would be even more exciting.

“Turmeric and chilli sprinkled on the floor fills the space with a lingering aroma, playing with the viewer’s senses whilst bright colours engage the viewer’s eyes.

“There is an urge to explore, to touch, to view closely and to solve the mystery encapsulated by the work. The experience of the viewer becomes the main aspect of my work, making it meaningful and giving essence to my work,” she said.

Heritage helps

Laxmi believes that her Indian heritage, encouragement from husband and children are among her best attributes.

She said her studio methodology brings with it traces of history, culture and spirituality. Life in New Zealand has enabled her to effect a positive and colourful fusion between the East and the West and it is little wonder that she is more observant than most people as she perceives any environment.

Her creations are the best testimony to her talent and the adage that art knows no cultural, national or other barriers.

Her ‘Mind of Perfect Mood,’ an acrylic painting on canvas, has been hailed by art students and critics as “beautifully luscious.”

Just how colours used in paintings, walls, floors and even on steps influence one’s moods, embellish the environment and enhance the ambience depend on the person’s ability to interact with them but Laxmi has proved the point.

“Using a festive colour palette not only offers a cultural identity but brings with it a sense of life and activates the surrounding space. Colour combined with scale has transformative powers, which lets viewers have an experiential encounter with my work. The concept of simplicity in my work allows for purity, which is rich in repercussion,” she said.

Although she may take a short and well-deserved break from scholastic life, she intends to pursue her master’s degree in Creative Design and Visual Art sometime in the foreseeable future.

There is no doubt that her husband and daughters would endorse her desire and help her to achieve her aspirations.

But for the moment, they agreed with her views that such creativity should be feasted by a few million eyes.

“You must organise an exhibition of your paintings for the public next year. Such a venture would not only showcase your talent but also inspire people,” we suggested.

“That would be a project we should work on,” Laxmi and her husband agreed.

Indian Newslink hopes to bring exclusive details of the project in due course.