
2.16 Evoke
Our (Un)comfortable Bodies
Vishakha's Art Journal
Growing up in a conservative Jatt family, emotional repression was the norm, especially for women. In my home, it was typical to hear women “venting” about their lives, casually sharing the daily struggles they faced—whether it was the expectations placed on them, how people treated them, or the small injustices that accumulated over time. I’d listen to these stories, often laced with frustration, but unacknowledged as trauma. These “chronic traumas,” small but repeated, became ingrained in the fabric of my life. They were so subtle yet so heavy, and I realised I could relate. Like these women, I too was pretending. We all wore a mask of acceptance, of “getting by,” while internalising so much more. This realisation deeply shaped my art and my creative voice.
In my work, I intentionally avoid focusing on the face or head, which are traditionally seen as the central points of expression. Instead, I use the body as my canvas. The body, with all its softness, weight, and vulnerability, isn’t depicted as an idealised form but as a vessel that carries our emotions and experiences. The "Bereave" series, for example, delves into the often unspoken language of touch. The series focuses on hands interacting with the flesh—whether tender, grasping, or pulling away. These simple gestures speak about longing, loss, and acceptance. They carry both physical and emotional weight.

Name: Bereave
Year: 2024
Size: 22x27.5
Material : Watercolor on paper
When I began painting, I found solace in the colour blood red. I would mix various shades of red, trying to find the perfect hue, only to realise it didn’t exist. The exact blood red I sought was elusive. While the colour often evokes images of violence, I didn’t want to limit its interpretation. Instead, I kept it open, allowing the viewers to draw their own conclusions. Over time, I gravitated toward the colour brown, which, for many, represents grounding and connection. For me, brown feels like a quiet presence—a colour that reflects warmth, stability, and something deeper, something that grounds us in both body and spirit.
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​My process involves layering—sometimes 15, sometimes 20 layers of paint—to build depth in my work. Each layer represents the complexity of the emotions I am trying to express. Human experience is never just surface-level, and I want to reflect that in my paintings. The process is slow, meditative, and often healing. It’s through this layering that I also find space for my own healing.
Name: Bereave V
Year: 2024
Size: 22x27.5
Material : Watercolor on paper

But there is a tension in my art. As much as I want to create a space for connection and healing, I struggle with self-doubt. My work isn’t meant for the typical home. It doesn’t fit into comfortable, decorative spaces. At times, I wonder if it belongs anywhere. Yet, when I hear from others—particularly women—who see themselves and their own experiences reflected in my art, it affirms what I’m doing. This connection, this shared emotional language, keeps me going. Even if my work is not easily understood or embraced by everyone, the emotions I explore are universal, even if the language is not.

Name: Bereave II
Year: 2024
Size: 22x27.5
Material : Watercolor on paper
Looking ahead, my next series will focus on male bodies and their collective stories. I want to explore how men’s bodies carry their own vulnerabilities, how they too experience emotional weight and silence. Through my work, I hope to offer a space for introspection. In a world where pain is often hidden, I want my art to be a place where we can confront it, feel it, and perhaps, find a way to release it.
MYSTICETI & FRIENDS
Vishakha is one of the four artists selected for the ART programme, Edition 1, co-curated by Terrain.art and Mysticeti. The programme aims to equip emerging art practitioners from South Asia with the tools to present their work and connect it to broader trends in the art world.
Vishakha Singh is an artist inspired by her surroundings and personal experiences. She uses various shades and textures to create abstract yet expressive figures. Though her art, she seeks to create a space for contemplation, connection, and healing.
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terrain.art is an online platform showcasing emerging physical and digital contemporary art from South Asia. It aims to build a global ecosystem that highlights artistic practices, provides accessible educational resources, and centralises archival processes.