Much of Chitra Merchant’s works use ancient Indian historical sites as a source of inspiration from which to root and develop imaginal structures that take on a life and logic of their own.
Much of Chitra Merchant’s works use ancient Indian historical sites as a source of inspiration from which to root and develop imaginal structures that take on a life and logic of their own. Merchant is deeply interested in the metaphor of a 'Temple', ruined or whole, as an outward manifestation of an inner value.
In the artist’s words:
“This print was inspired by a recent trip to India where I was able to visit some of the forests of Karnataka and Kerala, in particular the ‘Devakads’ or sacred groves found on the Western Ghats."
"Local custom dictates that no one is allowed to forage or cultivate within these forests as they are protected and presided over by deities."
"Apart from being a model for biodiversity and conservation, I am interested in these spaces for their wildness and inherent mystery."
This print was screen-printed at Spike Print Studio in Bristol.
About Chitra Merchant
Chitra Merchant was born in India and completed her BA in Psychology in Bangalore before departing for a year working at an artist’s studio in West Africa.Merchant came to the UK in the 1990s, completing another degree in Illustration at the University of West England and discovering her love of printmaking. Following group exhibitions, in 2001 she based herself at...
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https://shop.royalacademy.org.uk/devakad-2017-by-chitra-merchant25462Not For Web | Devakad, 2017https://shop.royalacademy.org.uk/media/catalog/product/c/h/chitra-merchant---devakad-web.jpg395395GBPOutOfStock/Art/All Artworks/Art/All Artworks/Own Art/Art/All Artworks/Art under £50027366377812209273<p>Much of Chitra Merchant’s works use ancient Indian historical sites as a source of inspiration from which to root and develop imaginal structures that take on a life and logic of their own. </p> <p>Much of Chitra Merchant’s works use ancient Indian historical sites as a source of inspiration from which to root and develop imaginal structures that take on a life and logic of their own. Merchant is deeply interested in the metaphor of a 'Temple', ruined or whole, as an outward manifestation of an inner value.<br /><br />In the artist’s words:</p>
<p>“This print was inspired by a recent trip to India where I was able to visit some of the forests of Karnataka and Kerala, in particular the ‘Devakads’ or sacred groves found on the Western Ghats."</p>
<p>"Local custom dictates that no one is allowed to forage or cultivate within these forests as they are protected and presided over by deities."</p>
<p>"Apart from being a model for biodiversity and conservation, I am interested in these spaces for their wildness and inherent mystery."<br /><br />This print was screen-printed at Spike Print Studio in Bristol.</p>00add-to-cartartist_name:Chitra Merchantstore_type:ArtChitra MerchantArtScreenprint56 x 75cmNo25