Fragments And Flames

Artist Shilpa Nikam on art, identity, and inner strength.

- 

Shilpa Nikam, a pioneering contemporary artist, transforms personal memory and societal trauma into poignant abstract expressions. With nearly three decades of practice, her evocative works explore resilience, femininity, and emotional depth—inviting viewers into immersive, introspective landscapes where vulnerability meets strength and the human spirit finds space to rise.

Could you walk us through your latest collection—what’s the title, and what sparked the inspiration behind it?

My 2022 exhibition, A Phoenix of Hope, delves into abstract expressions inspired by our fragmented post-pandemic world—marked by war, climate crises, and social instability. The collection stems from both personal memory and a desire to redefine artistic language in turbulent times. Before this, My-Grant (2018) explored my family's migration journey from Jafrabad to Mumbai, laying the foundation for emotionally rooted narratives.