‘Dear Ma,’: 8 Homegrown Artists Write A Love Letter To Their Mothers Through Art
Every year, Mother’s Day fills one with a range of emotions, a lot of nostalgia, and often, a few tears. Underneath brunches, hugs, badly-drawn cards, text messages, and (often last-minute) gifts, lies one single thought – that of expressing the love that goes unseen, buried or that which is only found in little moments through the rest of the year.
This year, our mothers are on the frontline, in the front – helping, saving, grieving, and praying. So many of us are also doing nothing but the same for our mothers – saving, grieving, praying, and thanking.
In a bid to say one little prayer, a thank you, and love you to our moms, this Mother’s Day, Homegrown invited artists to pay tribute to our mothers through art and set up a digital exhibition on our platform.
Here’s what we received.
I. Sneha Dasgupta
Mumbai-based visual artist and illustrator Sneha Dasgupta’s work is self-confessedly emotional, soulful, and a part of who she is. She loves narrating personal experiences and tries to translate them visually so that people can relate to them easily but deeply.
About this artwork, Dasgupta says, “For most of my life, my mum and I have always shared things – a plate of food, a show we’d watch during dinner, a list of chores, a shoe size, a hug, a bed, a room. We were always each other’s roommate in sickness, in health, on great days and on really low ones. We could always look up and find the other one next to us, in our own little bubble
After moving out and living away for work, a lot of things would make me remember her around my house and make me miss her more than I knew and I knew she felt the same way.
With the year we just had, I was grateful that I got to be with my mum after a long time and more so, for all those things we got to do and share together, again:
A plate of food, a show we watched during dinner, a list of chores, a slipper size, a hug, a bed, a room, space.
So, today is dedicated to her,
To my confidant,
To my companion,
To my mother!”
II. Reshidev RK
Born in Kannur, Kerala, Reshidev RK says that he discovered a passion for art the same day he learned how to hold a pencil. Reshidev, who currently works for Wieden+Kenndy in Portland as a senior designer, has studied sculpture at the Trivandrum College of Fine Arts. It was while pursuing sculpture that he realised his passion for illustration and took the leap into the advertising industry, building his career in his unique style and on his own terms. Reshidev has been the recipient of prestigious awards like the One Show and has been featured by publications like Wired magazine, Buzzfeed, and Vogue.
Says Reshidev about this artwork, “A mother’s care is unsurmountable and unchallenged. A mother’s aura is recognised not just by her own child, but also by others around her. Growing up, I saw mothers being the singular source of solace and safety, and this is exactly what I wanted my work to speak about. Even though it shall never be possible to describe the whole of what she stands for through one image, this is an attempt to capture the spirit of motherhood as it is experienced not merely by her children but also by everyone around her.”
III. Anirudh Kadav
Co-founder and creative controller of Hey Doode, Anirudh Kadav has been one of Mumbai’s most sought-after illustrators since 2015. A BFA graduate from Raheja School of Art, Kadav intends to spread happiness by depicting memorable moments that human beings experience in their natural surroundings through his art. For him, every drawing is a myriad of emotions that induces a sense of nostalgia.
Says Kadav, “No one else lights up our world as our amazing mothers do! This Mother’s Day, I thought of illustrating the warmth that they bring to our lives and the tenderness that lies in the way they nurture us. Recently, I have been exploring experimental geometry in art, and reflective of that is this piece which employs a similar quirky geometric style.
Wishing love to all mothers!”
IV. Maanvi Kapur
Maanvi Kapur’s work can be best described as an ongoing study of people through art. She uses a variety of media in her work and her process involves intricately thought out details that help compose her world through acute observation of life around her.
Her paintings try to portray her subject in their most vulnerable self – using comforted and sometimes agitated strokes of bold and daring colour, combined with layers of nature and patterns interwoven into the artwork. These artworks are not only a reflection of the subject but are also mixed with the feeling the subject evokes. This is why Kapur’s work ranges from the abstract yet decisive strokes of a watercolour or acrylic paintbrush to the hard-hitting yet measured marks of a pencil or a ball-point pen.
About the inspiration behind this artwork, Kapur says, “My mother’s bedtime stories created a new world in my mind, breathing life into my imagination. As a child, she used to hold me in her arms as I drifted to sleep and that’s continues to remain the safest feeling for me. She was there to pick up my toys or to give me a pick-me-up whenever I am not fully myself. Whether it is to find my favourite pair of jeans or life’s bigger questions, she still magically has all the answers. I can only ever hope to be a fraction of her.”
V. Santanu Hazarika
Santanu Hazarika is a multidisciplinary visual artist based in Mumbai. He gave up engineering to become the first-ever Redbull World Doodle Art Champion in 2014. He has worked with an amazing roster of clientele including Red Bull International, Adidas, Reebok, and Harper’s amongst others and creates intricately detailed illustrations and paintings inspired by Japanese Anime. Hazarika loves to explore themes relating to mythology, philosophy, and pop culture in his works. In addition, ‘live doodling workshops’ and customising sneakers are some of his creative outlets. Working in a niche framework, Santanu is the perfect example of a self-taught, independent artist.
Hazarika sums the message behind the artwork quite succinctly: “Care of a mother for her oved ones is selfless. This flame of care will hopefully fuel the breath of life in this great crisis.”
VI. Shreya Takodara
Shreya Takodara is a Mumbai-based illustrator and graphic designer. About herself, says Takodara, “ From scribbling on bedroom walls as a 2-year-old to now starting my career as a designer, I have always been super excited to create and tell stories through my work.”
Takodara beautifully explains her artwork: “My maa is a homemaker. Her job is the toughest one in the whole world but she does it with unimaginable grace. She exudes zen-like calm despite moving at the speed of light. I wonder how she does it!
Maa loves to create beauty out of chaos. Her project is an illustration of exactly that.
She takes small cloth scraps that nobody wants and turns them into the prettiest fabric earrings that everybody wants! Her project is now on its way to become a small business. And I still wonder how she does it!!
They say, “Small business isn’t for the faint of heart. It’s for the brave, the patient, and the persistent. It’s for the overcomer.”
If mums are not the epitome of that, I don’t know who is.
Thanks for teaching me everything I know Maa. Your workshop has built me into who I am today. This piece of art is dedicated to Mums like mine who have built their empires out of scraps while doing the toughest job in the whole world.
Happy Mother’s Day!”
VII. Thokchom Sony
Thokchom Sony is a visual artist from Manipur. He tells stories about his roots and cultures through his art which is a mix of fashion illustration and fine art. Growing up, as a child in Manipur, Thokchom was surrounded by nature in all its glory. He observed how tribals, in their symbiotic relationship with the forests, had a deep and spiritual understanding of life. Thokchom’s art is inspired by what he describes as the geometric designs in nature. Thokchom uses both the traditional (watercolour and acrylic ink) and the digital medium in his execution and even though his subjects are so obviously rooted in the culture of his birth, there’s a certain universality about them.
Says Thokchom about this artwork, “ This piece of work is a slice of my life – one of my happiest childhood memories. It was rare to receive a gift or a toy as a child. My parents didn’t have a lot of money but my mother was always saving money for our education and insurance. One day, while I was waiting for my mother after school, I saw a lovely little green-coloured umbrella sticking out of the crowd outside the school gate.
Later, when the crowd dispersed one by one, I saw the smiling face of my mother and I ran towards her with the biggest smile.I still treasure that moment and can never forget it!
The umbrella hare, in my artwork, is also a symbolism for protection and insurance.”
VIII. Tushar Madaan
Tushar Madaan from Delhi is one to be always found with a sketchbook. A College of Art graduate, Madaan loves observing people and their different expressions while travelling. Madaan’s artworks are based on social issues and usually carry a pinch of satire in them.
About this piece of art, says Madaan, “My take is for Mother Nature – thanking and respecting Mother Nature for what she’s providing us. I believe that it’s all natural diet and resources that are helping us fight COVID-19 now. Respecting nature is our utmost priority. She’s always helping us and it’s high time we stop taking this for granted.”
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