Archna Jaideep Singh Photograph

1958; Rajasthan, India

I was born in Rajasthan, a princely state in India. As a child and as a young adolescent, painting came naturally to me and was a major passion. Rajasthan is the most colorful and vibrant state in India. On special occasions which seemed to occur everyday we used to make beautiful designs to adorn the walls, floors and ceilings of our homes in a fashion similar to what are generally known as murals. It was the most exciting part of my childhood and adolescent years.

In 1981, I was struck with a serious illness which made me physically very weak and fragile to the degree that my existence was in question. This phase made me redefine my life's priorities and direction. During my illness phase (1981 to 1988) painting became first a source of therapy and then a full time pursuit. In my experience, when someone goes through so much suffering the desire to live is sustained by creating a beautiful inner landscape where exploration knows no boundaries. Art became my identity and a means for the celebration of life in spite of suffering. Since then my central purpose is to create beauty in our times when ugliness and crassness have almost become a cult.

In March 1982, I got married. My husband, Jaideep Singh, encouraged me and nurtured my artistic flow.

My paintings are myself and a flow of my inner being. The inspiring force is the interaction of my moods in response to the environment, changing seasons and the romance of my life. I derive great happiness in the process. Happiness has something to do with struggling and enduring and accomplishing. The feeling of happiness comes when a painting becomes a finished product.

Everything around us is an expression of varied selves - creative or destructive. Artistic creativity has myriad forms. Conversation is a fine art so is dancing, singing, storytelling, cooking not to mention writing. Good writing has always inspired me. Possibly, the art of living a joyous life is the finest art of all. My paintings are my creative expression of my love for people, curiosity about the world and the cosmos, devotion to the sublime and preoccupation with evolution of my artistic self and personhood.