About the Artist : Samvedana Vaishya has obtained Diploma in Painting (2003) and Diploma in Applied Art (1996) from C N College of Fine Arts, Ahmedabad. She has received award for Graphics from Gujarat State Lalit Kala Akademi (2002). She is the recipient of Gaurav Purusharth Award (2002). She has exhibited extensively in India and abroad and participated in numerous workshops and State and National Art Camps. She has had solo shows in Mumbai, Delhi, Banaras and Australia as well as nemours group shows in Ahmedabad, Baroda, Mumbai, Delhi, Bhopal, Italy.She has also exhibited in Gujarat State Lalit kala Exhibitons (2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2011). Her work has also been selected at the 9th Bharat Bhavan International Binnale, Bhopal (2011), 4th and 5th Egyptian International Trinnale, Egypt. She lives and works in Ahmedabad
About the exhibition: It was 2011 when I first visited Banaras. This visit was a great experience and inspiration for me. I had heard about the city and got an opportunity to even visit it often and explore it more. Frequent visits and the feel of the city motivated me to work on this series. So vibrant, culturally strong and shuttle is the city of Banaras. I have used different mediums and elements to capture my emotions and bring them forth. It is first time I used knife. The texture and vibrancy which I can very much relate with the place, merging it with various other elements and mediums like cloth, wood, handmade paper and canvas thereby trying to give them a language as a work of art.
Banaras - The city of Shiva is therefore an extension of my experience which speaks through my work.