Anoushka Mirchandani conjures ancient mythological beings, the apsaras, through vibrant oil paintings that blend sensuality with environmental harmony. These water-women, seen in ancient caves like Ajanta and Ellora, embody transformation and matrilineal knowledge.
Reflecting on her South Asian upbringing and family memories, Mirchandani explores the dynamic between power and vulnerability. Her current exhibition at ICA San José highlights these figures as one with their surroundings, their bodies merging with tropical plants and mossy boulders.
The terracotta red underpainting ties the artworks to Goa and Maharashtra’s clay-rich soil, grounding them in a sense of home and belonging. As viewers gaze upon her work, they are reminded of nature's ever-changing, sensuous beauty.
My Body Was A River Once continues through August 23, offering audiences a mesmerising journey into the mythological past while celebrating the present.
