Deep was presented at Mohawk College during International Education Week in January 2016. This marked the first international presentation of my Rangoli practice, bringing a South Asian floor-based art form into a space where it had never been seen.

Deep, meaning lamp, served as both title and guiding metaphor. The installation transformed a six by twelve foot surface into a field of colored sand, where each line and shape reflected care, rhythm, and intention. By occupying the floor, the work challenged conventional expectations of gallery and institutional space, asking viewers to consider how cultural practices move between private and public, ritual and contemporary.

The piece was less about explanation and more about experience: the lamp as hope, the floor as stage, and the sand as both material and gesture. It explored how traditional forms can assert presence in environments that rarely recognize them, turning subtle ritual into visual dialogue.

Artwork Overview

Audience Experience

Visitors circled Deep, pausing to take in the intricacy of its patterns and to ask questions about technique, symbolism, and cultural context. The interaction became part of the work itself, a shared moment of curiosity and reflection. By inviting questions and dialogue, the piece positioned itself as both introduction and disruption, revealing what is unseen and prompting new ways of seeing.

Event Details

Event: International Education Week
Year: January 2016
Location: Mohawk College, Hamilton, ON
Format: On-campus installation
Medium: Rangoli
Dimensions: 6 x 12 feet
Material: Colored sand
Milestone: First international presentation of my Rangoli art

Artistic Reflection

Deep confirmed the potential of traditional practices to challenge and expand contemporary art spaces. Presenting this work internationally encouraged a practice that values presence, dialogue, and the negotiation of cultural visibility. It was the first step in a trajectory that continues to explore how Rangoli can move fluidly between lineage, ritual, and contemporary artistic discourse.

Hope is made visible.