Cleansing
the Self
Sharmila Mohandas
oil painting on canvas
30"w x 36"h
This painting was
brought on by a spiritual and uplifting
phase in my life, as if I was moving in slow motion. There
is a sexual imagery that is brought on by the subconscious.
For instance, you see the water spurting out from the
shower and the phantom hand gliding up from behind.
Portrait of a Girl
Sharmila Mohandas
oil painting on canvas
19.3"w x 22"h
Although originally intended as a study in portraiture (I had someone sit for it), this one turned out to be almost autobiographical in nature. The chiaroscuro effect applied to this work has hints of the old masters (the Renaissance period). The girl’s eyes are almost indiscernible as if she doesn’t want anyone to see the depths of her soul. The whole effect gives this portrait an almost haunted look.
Red Queen II
Sharmila Mohandas
acrylic emulsion on canvas
40.5"w x 45"h
This concept
is taken from the ‘Dancing Shiva’, the Hindu God. It is third in the Red
Queen series that deals with the power women have over their male counterpart.
In one of
the stories, Lord Shiva has a male and female counterpart.
In my painting the female has empowered the male. The jasmine from her
head links her to the outside world.
Girl at the Bar
Sharmila Mohandas
oil painting on canvas
47"w x 26.5"h
The ‘Girl at the Bar’
exemplifies me and my state of mind at the time
of painting (my bleakness, blankness, isolation and withdrawal from
the outside world). Although, working on the painting gave me the
hope that there is a hint of light at the end of the tunnel. The color
and tonality of the work was brought on by the intensity of my emotions.
Sharmila Mohandas
oil painting on canvas
35"w x 40"h
‘The Red Queen’,
was taken from the title of the book,
‘THE RED QUEEN’, by Matt Ridley that was about sex
and the evolution of human nature. The woman sits on the chair like a
queen on her throne and has no qualms
exposing her sexuality to her subjects (the men). The
men are all trying hard to get at her without success.
Sharmila Mohandas
oil painting on canvas
23" x 23"
The painting ‘subjugation’ has a surreal effect. The Salvador Dali-
like mustache on the stone image that is actually the lingam (male reproductive organ of the lord Shiva, worshiped by Hindus in India)
denotes the man. The woman’s hands are wringing it like a piece of
cloth. To the right are the remaining fragments of the man. The
flaming Medusa-like drawing forms the backdrop of the painting.
The Muse
Sharmila Mohandas
oil painting on canvas
28.5"w x 34"h
There is a hidden sexuality in the painting of the girl
portrayed in the muse. She seems playful and flirtatious,
yet her sensuality comes out and there’s an earthy ruggedness in the flesh tones. Although the curtain brings
out the theatrical effect of the painting, it is lessened by
the softness of the curtain folds.
