Magical Thinking​

Rithika Merchant’s work is an Imaginarium that explores the commonality of beliefs across geographies, a personal reflection on the deep connection between the human mind and the natural world.

While the homo sapien sought dominance over its fellow creatures, many natural phenomena continued to ​remain a mystery, which gave birth to superstitions and myths – the early human’s attempt at science. Through her work, Rithika seeks to explore the myths from across the globe, to understand the common thread that connects many different cultures and religions.

In her artist’s note, she says, “In the present day and for the foreseeable future, science gives us a complete explanation for most things. However, it places humans as part of a greater scheme rather than the centre of our own narrative. As much as science gives a more accurate description of humanity it takes away the spiritual power given to every human to understand their own destiny. This series of work aims to bring humanity back to the centre of concern. As an artist, I am interested in examining and creating a link between humans and their past.”

She has created phantasmagorical creatures in surreal settings, a fusion of fables from different parts of the world, translated and transformed by her imagination. Along with​ an examination of commonality in folklore, her​ ​art also is intrinsically feminine – a commentary on many facets of modern art where women are sources of inspiration and not interpretation.​ ​Using anthropomorphic imagery, the artist combines similar views from various pagan cultures to bring to the fore the unity in human thought across generations. Her visual language, which uses mostly organic imagery​ ​like bodies made of plant-based matter or a vibrant chimera creates a combined world mythology for human​ ​beings irrespective of religion and other beliefs.