Nilima Goel’s artistic voice is a powerful, evocative and original. She is driven by a strong personal vision which is full of explosive energy and relates to the dynamics of life itself as is evident in both her sculptural works and her masks. Meticulously and painstakingly crafted, her sculptural works – which range from the bijou to the monumental – explore the physical as well as metaphysical connection between body and soul, between psyche and spirit. Her elegant and sophisticated visual vocabulary, refined technical skills and single-minded devotion to her practice all contribute to create works which are rich in form, content, symbolism and meaning.
Masks have had a long and profound effect on modern and contemporary art. Nilima Goel recontextualizes the mask and reimagines its role in art by drawing on diverse sources ranging from ancient Greek and Indian tribal traditions to the art of Rabindranath Tagore. These masks in papier-mâché speak eloquently of taking on new identities and speaking a truth that might not always be accessible. There is a bounty of wonder in these works and Nilima Goel provides the viewer with valuable insights into the incredibly creative and meaningful continuum of masquerade in the human experience.
- Anirudh Chari