Artist's Style and Vision
Inspiration
Inspired by the words of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, who said, “Jo brahmande soi pinde, jo khoje so paave” — “Whatever is in the universe is also within the body; the one who seeks shall find” — Arash embarks on a visual journey that bridges the cosmos and the self.
Through his paintings, he explores the vast, mysterious realms of outer space, not only as a representation of the external universe, but as a mirror to our inner landscapes. Each painting becomes an act of seeking, revealing the profound interconnectedness between the macrocosm and the microcosm.
Khoj (खोज) – The Search for Galactic Art
These abstract space painting emerges from a place where the unknown cosmos meets the unbounded imagination. Drawing loose reference from NASA imagery — galaxies, nebulae, star clusters, and distant planetary textures — the work is not a literal depiction, but an internalized vision of the vast and mysterious outer space.
Starting with a blank canvas or white paper, I allow the mind to drift into the void — a personal space of inquiry and creation. Without pre-sketches or boundaries, each movement of colour or pour of pigment becomes a dialogue between what is scientifically known and what is spiritually intuited.
The work reflects a fascination with the unseen — the blackness between stars, the explosive birth of galaxies, the subtle movement of cosmic dust. It mirrors the search for meaning in the great unknown and the beauty of not fully understanding.
Inspired by space but not confined by it, the artwork is a meditation on "what might be out there" and "what echoes within." The abstract forms, layered textures, and flowing blues and teals suggest both the cold vastness of the universe and the warmth of human curiosity.
At its core, this is not just a painting of outer space — it's a painting from within space, born out of imagination, intuition, and the freedom to create new worlds on a surface that was once blank.
Rendered in black ink
Rendered in black ink, these drawings emerge from a deep-rooted fascination with pen work that began during school days — a time when lines became more than just marks, and pens more than just tools. What started as idle sketching in the margins of notebooks grew into a full visual language of texture, rhythm, and abstraction.
This practice found renewed life and direction during a visit to Shantiniketan, where the surrounding creative energy and quiet philosophies of art influenced a shift toward more meditative and organic forms. Inspired by nature, human emotion, and abstract thought, these works embrace form and line as primary vehicles for expression — letting shape and repetition communicate beyond words.
About the artwork: "Conflict" contrasts urban chaos with the peace of nature, portraying a fractured world caught between growth and destruction. Smoke curls into the sky above concrete blocks, while deep below, trees and life still breathe — a metaphor for both environmental and emotional imbalance.
Art Rooted in Bhakti Tradition
This body of work draws inspiration from the Bhakti movement—a tradition rooted in devotion, simplicity, and the search for inner truth. Through black pen on paper, the art becomes not just an expression but also a meditative practice, where each stroke mirrors stillness and surrender.
The works are centered on meditative invocations of Waheguru and Ek Onkar, symbols of unity, divinity, and oneness. Portraits of revered figures—Guru Nanak Dev Ji, Guru Gobind Singh Ji, Lord Shiva, Lord Ganesha, and the Buddha—are depicted with devotion, reflecting their timeless wisdom and spiritual presence.
The monochrome medium emphasizes clarity and discipline, stripping away distractions and allowing the viewer to focus on the essence of form and meaning. Just as the Bhakti saints found liberation in devotion, these works invite the audience into a quiet dialogue with the divine, transforming art into a pathway of meditation.