Figurative

Pratima is influenced and inspired by Indian cultural heritage. Her intimate experience of rich and vibrant Indian life informs her craft practice. Her figurative sculptures have hint of western influence from western masters such as Giacometti, Modigliani and Gauguin name a few. Approaching her work primarily to populate her surrounding with memories of people she would have had brief or long encounter. But the figurative work also celebrates embodiment of divinity, kindness and motherly caring quality of female.

These sculptures are results of deeper understandings of the history, religion, mythology and folklores.

India is a culture where there are as many goddesses as there are people.The female are ‘Devi’ of the family and her female figure are embodiment of deities, and investigation into mythology and folklores.

In a first instance, the figures are a riot of colour, pattern and texture to celebrate Indian craft practices such as printing, weaving, embroidery, but they also have personal meaning. Each sculpture has been given a unique name after some intense gazing, often they are named after the friends and family member, or sometimes just fleeting encounter with has left lasting impression, although sometimes they are named after celebrities or famous people.

Growing up in India, during the golden years of Bollywood, Pratima pay her tribute to those she admired, by giving the names or scribing poetry on the clay surface.