French Artist Stephanie Arpels is a self taught artiest whose work focuses on representing the inner beauty of women. Women’s status has been her concern for the longest time. Stephanie is passionate about women and their fragilities, their strengths and their complexities.
“Relocating to India in 2015 has impacted my work a lot. I am moved by what I see and feel. The vastness of the country challenges me to show the diversity and contrasts among Indian women. Their gaieties, their laughter, their energy, even in dire situations, are striking and awe me; and interpret this in my art. An inner spiritual awakening is taking over my work on Indian women.” Shares the artist.
Glimpses of her work which artist showcased recently…
At the National Gallery of modern Art, New Delhi
Until the 29 of March
“My Chatting Women”
30’ x 24’ Acrylic, collages and Resin, 2021
The Concept Note
“I observe the inner beauty of women, suspended in time and space, where they can embrace their future destinations.This new series is focused on the ways in which the spirituality of Indian women resonates with mine.For my collages, I have selected famous painters that I admire to sublime and give more importance to my Indian women. I have associated Western and Indian painters to highlight my European roots in an Indian context as I live in Delhi. It is also a way to translate my European perception of Indian traditions, as my collages represent the traditional sari.
Indian women inspire me. I feel that they have such spiritual power to bear their life and to find the strength to support their family.”
At The Lalit Akademi Museum
Until the 20 March
Squatting Women in a Landscape
48’x40’, Acrylic, Collages and Resin 2020
The Concept Note
“I observe the inner beauty of women, suspended in time and space, where they can embrace their future destinations. This new series is focused on the ways in which the spirituality of Indian women resonates with mine.For my collages, I have selected famous painters that I admire to sublime and give more importance to my Indian women. I have associated Western and Indian painters to highlight my European roots in an Indian context as I live in Delhi. It is also a way to translate my European perception of Indian traditions, as my collages represent the traditional sari.”
“What are they thinking? Where are they going? What are they expecting? What are they feeling? How are they able to live, waiting the entire day, lacking even of the most basic needs Are they trying to escape? Are they even thinking they can escape from their frail condition? How it is possible to adapt as a woman in such a world? I wonder how they are able to find dignity from such dire conditions? Indian women inspire me. I feel that they have such spiritual power to bear their life and to find the strength to support their family. further, wanted to pay tribute to the beauty of these women. I admire them.”
At the RKG Gallery
Until the 12 march
“Squatting Women in a Gold Landscape”, Acrylic, collages and resin” 16’x12’ 2021
“Squatting Woman”, Acrylic, collages and resin”, 16’x20’ 2021
The Concept Note
“Women’s status has been my concern for the longest time. I represent and celebrate the life and beauty of Indian women. These canvases show squatting women, I have introduced faces in my works to render my women more human, more real, I observe the inner beauty of women that I suspend in time and space where they can embrace their future destinations. Artist stated project them on gold which has strong cultural signification in India And I sublime them with collages from European and Indian masters who inspire me. I have been inspired by Rajasthan, and more particularly by textures.
Also, and patinas of the blue city of Jodhpur, by Amber fort in the pink city of Jaipur. All the place I have been visiting in Indian allow me to imagine another word, another dimension, the future world where my women are heading for. I am deeply connected with the spirituality of India, women, as species, fascinate me because we always have to struggle to obtain more freedom, but have not yet become equal of men. Women give life, they have the unique gift to be several persons in one.
