Call to the Mystic is an invitation to investigate the relationship between myth, emotion, and human experience
The Mexican Embassy in India has organised A Call to the Mystic, an art exhibition showcasing the works of a Mexican artist Eva Malhotra at the Shridharani Gallery of Triveni Kala Sangam in New Delhi.
The art works made using acrylic paints and copper foil provide visitors with an immersive experience into Malhotra’s mystic world by celebrating a fusion of cultural heritage and modern art. The exhibition, which was inaugurated by Federico Salas, Ambassador of Mexico to India, on Friday, will run until March 31.
Eva Malhotra
“India’s profound spirituality and mysticism inspired me when I was considering holding an exhibition there. India is well known for its metaphysical ties, which aligned with my creative vision. My goal was to develop a series that would connect this deep cultural essence with my Mexican heritage,” Malhotra tells India Outbound.
“The rich civilisations of my ancestors, the Maya, Aztec, Olmec and Toltec, were all steeped in sacred traditions and mysticism. I started a journey of study and research into their mystical practices in order to realise this vision. I studied their mythology, especially the stories they told about the universe’s creation,” she added.
Malhotra’s works display the variety of mediums and methods that she uses in her creations. Encaustic painting, carved wood panels, installations, performance art and photography are just a few of the mediums she uses in her work. Mythology, personal stories, and abstraction are all major influences on Malhotra’s artistic style. Her innovative technique entails applying paint layers, up to 20 layers, to canvasses and then using wooden carving tools to produce complex patterns and textures.
“I take a canvas and secure it to a large, sturdy piece of wood. After that, I apply layers of acrylic paint in about 20 or 30 different colours. Then, in order to obtain the colours and thickness. I then use the same tools that are used to create woodcuts—the same tools that are used for wood carving. similar to a Japanese woodcut. After that, I carefully and naturally carve each piece. I don’t start with a sketch. I don’t draw. I simply begin to make the marks. After that, the marks begin making suggestions to me. similar to how a piece of music is composed. Thus, the pieces always turn out to be something I never imagined,” says Malhotra.
Call to the Mystic is an invitation to investigate the relationship between myth, emotion, and human experience; it is more than just an art show. Some of Malhotra’s most well-known pieces are included in the collection, including ones that draw inspiration from Mexican mythology and her own identity explorations. Viewers are deeply moved by the dreamlike atmosphere she creates with her use of vivid colours, layered textures, and abstract forms.
Armando Garcia Orso
“Eva has an extensive body of work. One is based on the well-known author Juan Rulfo. There are about 20 or 30 pieces. From that series, we choose. There aren’t many pieces, but we chose the ones that I could see connecting one to another,” Armando Garcia Orso, Curator of the exhibition.
“The Mayan culture of Mexico serves as the inspiration for Eva’s ‘Call to the Mystic’ exhibition. The timekeepers in this Mayan culture in South Mexico are highly engaged with the passing of time. Because the Mayan culture places a great deal of importance on time. And as time passed, they discovered who they were. Additionally, Eva tried to explain that connection with time through her artworks,” says Orso.
“The Mexican Embassy in India has been instrumental in bringing this exhibition to India as part of its continuous efforts to foster cultural exchange between the two countries,” says Federico Salas, Ambassador of Mexico to India.
Federico Salas
“We felt that this would be a fantastic chance to introduce these kinds of Mexican cultural expressions here after seeing the artwork. Being able to present contemporary Mexican art is crucial to me personally and to the Embassy of Mexico. People occasionally have very preconceived ideas about what Mexican art ought to be. By introducing this, we are breaking some stereotypes because the artist is doing something very unique and different, not just in terms of the theme but also in terms of the technique, the images, the textures, etc. Therefore, doing that is really intriguing,” Salas tells India Outbound.
“Additionally, the fact that so many Indian artists are also engaged in this kind of work makes it especially intriguing to me. Although they are not exactly the same, their approaches to artistic expression are somewhat similar. Therefore, I believe it is critical to bring this to India so that Indian artists can observe what’s happening in Mexico. And this fosters a conversation, an artistic conversation, between our two nations, which is, in my opinion, crucial,” Salas adds.
The exhibition encourages visitors to engage with the artwork in addition to viewing it.
“Every one of these pieces has a distinct quality that appeals to you and elicits various feelings and reactions. ‘The Moon in the Mangrove’ painting, for example, exudes happiness; it is colourful, chaotic, and full of a symphony of shapes and colours. Nevertheless, you can sense cooperation and synergy even in the middle of the mayhem. If you look closely at the ‘Light of Mother Earth’ painting, you can see how the composition as a whole makes an impression, but if you concentrate on specific components, you can see that each one conveys a unique message,” Neelima, a teacher at the Sriram School, Gurugram, tells India Outbound.
Each specific component of the painting conveys a unique message
“What I find most amazing about the exhibition is the variety of interpretations it can evoke. The experience is intrinsically subjective; the viewer’s perception may not align with the artist’s intentions. However, if you can connect with a piece in a way that resonates with you or speaks to your own experiences, it creates a profoundly joyful feeling. This connection is what makes art so powerful and meaningful,” she adds.
Malhotra’s use of vibrant colours, layered textures, and abstract forms creates a dreamlike atmosphere that resonates deeply with viewers.
“According to me, the colour, texture and light have everything to do with it, because when we have a mystical experience, like, for example, to me, if I go to the desert at night and I see the galaxy. I am overwhelmed by that. It fills every core of my being. That is a mystical experience,” says Malhotra.
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