Dipali Gupta - A Multidisciplinary Artist 

As I entered the room, I heard her strumming Bruno Mar’s 'Count On Me' on a guitar, completely immersed in imparting meaning to every line she sang. This is how I got to know Sonia Mehra, years ago - always ready to lend a helping hand and speak or ‘sing’ encouragingly to anyone who crosses her path. Her current oeuvre comes as no surprise for a person who persists in her Buddhist practice and also her passion for the arts.

Her exhibition titled ‘Cluster of Blessings’, is a mark of victory of Sonia’s courageous

faith and ardent practice. As a practicing Buddhist and also an artist, I believe the

two streams (Buddhism and Art) have a lot in common. They are both called

‘practices’, something that one follows through on a daily basis. Practice is an

eminent element of Nichiren Daishonin’s Buddhism along with faith and study. In art too, I suppose one cannot create without persistent practice – regular, repeated and consistent application and exploration of artistic theories that allow one to negotiate ingeniously the vagaries of life.

The paintings of this series charmingly convey a visualization of complex Buddhist fundamentals. A task not easy for one who has not experienced this life changing philosophy. Sonia’s choice of materials, balanced colour palette, and use of harsh and soft lines, especially in ‘Winter Always turns into Spring’ and ‘Turning Poison into Medicine’ remind me of various turning points in my life that have dramatically altered my course albeit for the better. The recurring motif of the lotus even in its abstract form manifests the Buddhist principle of simultaneity of cause and effect.

Through the sensitivity of stippled tones, Sonia intuitively nudges the viewer to

consider the hope filled promises of Buddhahood inherent in all living beings – the highest life state of humanism which is urgently required considering global circumstances.

For me, Cluster of Blessings is akin to the lotus growing in a mucky pond – a

delightful visual offering of positive life philosophy amongst a myriad of bleak

realities.