Month 4: Freedom of Expression
by Aadya Bommineni, Aradhna Praveen, and Shriya Shaji
Hello all, and happy holidays! This month, we are featuring two artists with unique paintings that connect to their beliefs and express their artistic style.
Horns of Love
Adithi Siva
Skyview Middle School
6th Grade
“My project, Horns of Love, emphasizes the deep bond between a protective mother deer and her calf, symbolizing love and harmony. Deer also embodies renewal, hope, and intuition and are prominent in Hindu mythology. For instance, Saraswati transforms into the deer Rohit in the Upanishads to escape a demon, and Shiva often holds a deer symbolizing the Vedas. In the Ramayana, Maricha's guise as a golden deer highlights that appearances can deceive. These narratives reflect the multifaceted symbolism of deer across cultures, reinforcing their significance in art and storytelling. This project celebrates the enduring connection between nature and spirituality,”
- Adithi
The Jungle Splendor
Riya Subramaniam
Gateway Middle School
6th Grade
“In Hindu culture, the mandala is a symbolic diagram representing the universe. It is used in some forms of meditation and sacred rituals. This Mandala is a microcosm of a jungle. A regal leopard is projected at the heart of this Mandala, surrounded by fish and birds representing life on earth, in water, and air. The designs are interwoven with ornate borders. Many of these designs are katchni, bharni, crosshatching, and bumps. These concentric circles are flanked by peacocks on all four corners amidst dense flora. Overall, this painting depicts a habitat where many animals thrive.”
- Riya
