The Art of Rithika Merchant

Rithika Merchant's works were featured in following exhibitons: "In Missa interfectionis" The Dance with Death October 14 - April 25 2015. "Abundantia Cornu Copiae, Breviter" November 15 - April 25 2015

Rithika Merchant is an artist from Mumbai, currently residing in Barcelona (after attending school in New York). Her drawings combine craft and concept pulling from mythological associations and detailed accumulation of line work. The theme of anthropomorphism and personification run through her work as the mythopoetic associations of images create narratives of her own internal, personal folklore. The polytheistic world views of pagan cultures utilizing similar anthropomorphic imagery called upon these types of interpretations of the natural world as a means to create a history of creation and humanity. Using this visual language in her own personal application, the drawings unfold with dense narratives that unravel with layers of cultural references.

I use painting as a means of telling stories which are inspired by experiences from my childhood and my present life. I explore themes of personification and anthropomorphism, where animals embody human attributes; be it in bodily form, or the environment they are placed in.

I am interested in the patterns made by the placement or overlaying of shapes together and the way the individual pieces fit together to form a picture -much like putting a puzzle together. My paintings depict scenes from my own internal, personal folklore. They are filled with creatures from my imagination, who come together to represent my beliefs and ideology.

Most of my creatures are hybrids. I love the idea of two creatures gently merging or emerging, embodying the duality that is within everything in nature. I also explore the idea of many selves in conversation with one another. I am also keen to explore the common thread that runs through different cultures and religions. Similar versions of all these myths, stories and ideas are shared by cultures all around the world. My paintings explore this concept while also featuring creatures and symbolism that are part of my personal visual vocabulary.

Press:


RITHIKA MERCHANT- Mosaics of Myth

DRAWINGS BY RITHIKA MERCHANT

Art of Rithika Merchant : Myths, Rituals, and Folklore

 
The Origin of New Species - Rithika Merchant

 
Of Myths & Legends


Rithika Merchant’s Mythography

Selected Solo Exhibitions

2015 "LUNA TABULATORUM" Stephen Romano Gallery NYC.
2014 Tiny Griffon Gallery, Nuremberg, Germany
2013 "Mythography" Gallery Art & Soul, Mumbai, India
2012 "Mitología Comparada" Swab Art Fair (presented by Galeria Espai b), Barcelona, Spain
2011 "Origin of Species" Gallery Art & Soul, Mumbai, India
2009 "Worlds Within Words" Fabrica do Braço de Prata, Lisbon, Portugal
2009 "Conversations With Myself" Pois.Cafe, Lisbon, Portugal
2008 "A Collection of Dreams, Thoughts and Experiences" Convento São Francisco De Mertola, Mertola, Portugal

Selected Duo Exhibitions 
           
2015 Tarq, Mumbai, India

Selected Group Exhibitions

2015 Metro Curates "Seeing the Hidden" Stephen Romano Gallery 
2015 "Abundantia Cornu Copiae, Breviter" 
2014 “Diplomatic Art” Helios Gallery, Timisoara, Romania
2014 "In Missa Interfectionis" Stephen Romano Gallery, Brooklyn, New York, U.S.A. 
2014 "Collectiva de Petit Format" Galeria Espai b, Barcelona, Spain
2013 India Art Festival (presented by Gallery Art & Soul), Mumbai, India
2013 "Crest of the Strawberry Moon" Gospel Flat Farm, Bolinas, California, U.S.A. 
2013 "Of The Hand" Madder Moon Gallery, Singapore, Singapore 
2013 "Inventari" Galeria Espai b, Barcelona, Spain
2012 "Xmas 12/ The Big Group Show" Galleri Christoffer Egelund, Copenhagen, Denmark
2012 "O Fim" Espaço Santo Antonio, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil 
2012 "Sobre El Paper" Galeria Espai b, Barcelona, Spain
2012 "Tristesia - Paraphernalia - Memorabilia" Fundatia Interart Triade, Timisoara, Romania
2012 "Tristesia - Paraphernalia - Memorabilia" Arthouse Wolfsberg/Garana, Garana, Romania
2012 "Collectiva d'Estiu" Galeria Espai b, Barcelona, Spain
2011 "Barcelona Showcase" Casa Batllo, Barcelona, Spain
2011 "Collectiva Nadal" Galeria Espai b, Barcelona, Spain
2011 "Art de Mercat X-L-XL" Galeria Espai b, Barcelona, Spain
2011 "Exhibition Room" Who Galeria, Lisbon, Portugal 
2011 "Kala Ghoda Arts Festival" Mumbai, India
2011 "Snowball"  Articule Gallery, Montréal, Québec, Canada
2010 "Collectiva Nadal" Galeria Espai b, Barcelona, Spain
2010 "De Sanguine" Guardia Sanframondi, Benevento, Italy 
2010 "Chic and Cheap" Galerie Vivell, Liege, Belgium
2010 "New Mirror Illustration" Who Galeria, Lisbon, Portugal 
2010 "New Mirror Illustration" Muuda, Porto, Portugal 
2009 "Kala Ghoda Arts Festival" Mumbai, India
2008 "Senior Citizens" Gallery MC, New York, U.S.A.
2008 "I'll show you mine, if you show me yours." Parsons Fine Arts Gallery,New York, U.S.A.
2007 "City Symphonies/Urban Muck" Parsons Fine Arts Gallery,New York, U.S.A.
2007 "Mentor/Meteor" Parsons Fine Arts Gallery, New York, U.S.A.
2006 "HISA Final show" The Hellenic International Studies In The Arts; Paros, Greece
2004 "The Armature Project" Grand Central Station, New York, U.S.A.


Dame Blanche, 2014 \| 58 x 38 cms \| Gouache and Ink on Paper	Marie La Sanglante, 2014 \| 58 x 38 cms \| Gouache, Ink and Graphite on Paper


Doctrine Of Signatures, 2013 \| 65 x 45 cms \| Gouache and Ink on Paper	Exquisite Corpse II (Apparitional Experience) 2014 \| 52 x 35 cms \| Gouache and Ink on Paper