This is my first self-portrait, created during a year of immense transformation. It marks a pivotal moment in my practice, both a return to myself and a departure from realism, the foundation of my training. This work became the catalyst for my growing interest in Pattachitra, Kalighat painting, and what I like to call Indian maximalism: a celebration of colour, ornamentation, and symbolic richness.
The vibrant palette and decorative framing draw from memories of home, shaped by a deep sense of homesickness that surfaced while painting. Stepping away from realism was challenging, but this piece opened a new direction for my work—one rooted in cultural influence, emotional honesty, and bold experimentation.
Vaishnavi Khullar 