Artist Pragati Sharma Mohanty is set to open a solo exhibition titled Daughter of the Earth at the Richmond Art Center, according to a press release. The exhibition explores the epic Ramayana through a contemporary lens, focusing on the story of Sita.
The exhibition is the result of six years of research and artistic development. It features a collection of paintings, sculptural installations, divine totems, and a 100-foot-long hand-written Sanskrit manuscript. The artist portrays Sita as a woman navigating exile, abduction, and public judgment, culminating in her decision to return to the earth.
Artistic approach and themes
Mohanty utilizes a signature maximalist-miniaturist storytelling style to reinterpret the epic. She paints in gouache and acrylic on laser-cut rice paper, collaged onto detailed backdrops featuring flora, fauna, and architecture. This technique allows for fluid composition and the use of repeated motifs across her work. Beyond the paintings, the exhibition includes sculptural elements and interactive installations designed to immerse viewers in the narrative.
About the artist
Pragati Sharma Mohanty was born and raised in India and frequently draws upon folklore, history, and the visual traditions of her cultural heritage. With a background in architecture and industrial design, she brings a structural sensibility to her intricate, layered compositions. Mohanty holds a Bachelor of Architecture from the Faculty of Architecture in Lucknow and a Master of Industrial Design from the National Institute of Design in Ahmedabad.
Her work has been featured in solo exhibitions at the Palo Alto Arts Center, Charter Oak Cultural Center, and Sattology. Mohanty is also the founder of the Pragati Art School, which focuses on teaching Indian folk art traditions. The school serves as a creative hub for immigrant communities, providing a space where heritage and artistic practice intersect.
This text was edited with the assistance of an AI tool and has been reviewed and edited for accuracy and clarity by India Currents.
