With passionate brush and compassionate heart, Sheetal Durve makes art for change

Sheetal Durve, who is hosting her solo show Grace Rising at Picasso Gallery (Nov. 6-14), is an artist and author hailing from Pune, India, currently based in Dubai. From a young age, she was immersed in arts, attending exhibitions, performances and concerts with her culturally-inclined parents. The early exposure sparked a passion that would shape the course of her life. Sheetal received formal education in art, classical dance and music, and while initially working in advertising, it was not long before she realised that her true calling was painting.

- Muhammad Yusuf, Features Writer

She made the brave decision to become a full-time artist - and has never looked back. Sheetal’s art is inspired by nature and the current state of the world. She captures and expresses her influences through emotions on canvas, using a wide range of mediums, including watercolour, oil, acrylic and mixed media. She is particularly drawn to the array of colours and rhythms in nature, and much of her work reflects this mindfulness. However, she is also deeply affected by the political, humanitarian and social issues of the world, which is often reflected in her art.

Sheetal’s dedication to making a positive impact on the world extends much beyond her art. She has been involved in art therapies for Alzheimer's and grief support groups and has donated her work to various causes and charities. She also shares her art with underprivileged and special needs children, through workshops and classes. “My art therapy work,” Sheetal says, “has touched children with autism at Milestones Center, Dubai, and through Wings for Dreams in Pune, I have been able to contribute to empowering women and educating children. Each encounter, whether in a hospital, a school, or a rural village, has deepened my understanding that art is not just a profession — it is a form of service.”