Shiffali Wadhawan

Delhi

Shiffali Wadhawan (b. 1978) is a contemporary Indian artist whose work delves into the interplay between societal conformity and individual realities. By juxtaposing realism with imagined backgrounds, flat patterns, and metaphorical symbolism, she initiates an honest intimate dialogue, between the work and the viewer, wherein they can reflect on shared experiences and thoughts. 

Her art tells an uplifting story, but at the same time, it subtly explores the preconditioned psychology of human society, its underbelly and its impact on the natural world. She uses symbolic metaphors in a contemporary context to tell the story of life as she sees it. She works mostly in thin layers and glazes of oil and acrylics on linen till she achieves the desired effect, sometimes shaping her canvases to explore the feeling of going beyond the lines of what is deemed commonplace. Her compositions are vivid and intricate, balancing structure with spontaneity. Her art explores the themes of perseverance, spirituality, and the psychological underpinnings of human behaviour. It instigates an intimate dialogue, wherein the viewer can reflect and have a pure emotional reaction. She works primarily in acrylic and oil, and her use of mixed media allows her to create intricately detailed pieces that perfectly illustrate her narrative and vision. She is a self-taught artist and often works in other mediums of sculpture and conceptual art. 

She studied at the Slade School of Art, UCL, London, and Sculpture at Triveni Kala Sangam, Delhi, and gained expertise in the Business of Art through OnCourse Vantage. Her notable solo exhibitions include Kaya at Lalit Kala Academy (2004) and Feminine Age at India Habitat Centre (2001). Her achievements also include participation in esteemed exhibitions such as the India Art Fair (2020, 2019) with Gallery Veda and Art Femme at Gallery Nvya (2020), along with the Busan International Art Fair (2017).