Bhavna Mehta

ARTIST STATEMENT:
Sooner or later each one of us has to find our own way in the world – for me it is through the making and sharing of art. Making something by hand is a challenge, and almost always results in an exciting way to think about what constitutes art in these times.

I left the corporate world in 2008 (I used to be a software engineer for Nokia and Motorola) to become a full-time artist with the luxury to manifest many of the creative ideas floating around in my head. I draw constantly and paint and collage, always trying to push myself further into exploring the natural world, my surroundings, my family, and memories.

External and internal landscapes are a basis of much of my current work. I am curious as to how to present a literal or a metaphorical landscape. Recycling materials normally found in the home is a personal goal. I use old photographs, maps, magazines, handmade paper, grocery bags (among other items), to make collages, mosaics, handmade books, mobiles – always trying to work with new material in unusual ways. Success does not meet me at the end of every attempt, but the sheer trial of giving new meaning to an old or unusable item leads to new places.

Art is a luxury for some, but a necessity for me. My best original work comes when I am just “playing” - trying something new to see if it works, or if I like it, or is it just a waste of time. It helps to have a plan, any plan – for example what to do in the studio the next day or if I am lucky, the next week. Structured “play” has become an essential place for my brain to be while ‘making art’.

TEACHING EXPERIENCE:
For the past 2 years, I have held a variety of workshops and classes for kids aged 5-12 in my studio. I consider teaching and sharing art ideas an essential part of my growth as an artist.

My teaching philosophy is to start with the basics and to also give the children the skills needed to take a project from start to finish. I give them the space and the materials to develop their style while trying to teach that there are many ways to do something.

Work done by the children in my studio can be viewed by clicking on the ‘Student showcase’ on my website www.hansaarts.com.