The Way Through The Forest

About

In her first solo exhibition, Punam’s abstract paintings explore the spiritual qualities of forests, inspired by the power of nature and trees to create mindfulness and reduce stress. The artist spent much of her early life immersed in the forest environment. The cycles of transformation and growth and her memories of the wilderness are reflected in the textures of her work. 

For her, forests are a place of mystery as well as discovery, representing resilience, transition and change. These qualities, rediscovered during lockdown walks through London’s ancient woodland, have been a source of strength, healing and inspiration during the pandemic. This exhibition shares some of the work created during this period, emanating the meditative and contemplative emotions often felt when dwelling amidst the trees. 

Punam works using acrylics, pigments and gouache. She uses canvases as well as wood, bamboo and casement cloth to paint on. The layers and textures in her paintings are influenced by what she saw in the forests as a child and she uses concrete and plaster to create these effects. Her work is colourful, reflecting the vibrancy of nature and of life.

Punam was born in a tea garden in Assam, India, and grew up in the foothills of the Himalayas. She has lived in London since 2000. 

Punam gained a Post Graduate Diploma in Social Communications Media from the University of Bombay, Sophia College. She worked for many years in the 1990s as an advertising film director. Punam is a self-taught artist and in recent years, she has used her artistic practice as a way to re-engage with her creative past

This exhibition is dedicated to the memory of her beloved son Jai. A percentage of the proceeds from the show will go to Great Ormond Street Hospital.