Speaking Through Colours | Rekha Rao
Curator's Note
Life on this earth involves more than just humans who inhabit it. It exists in everything around us, from a tiny sapling growing by the roadside to the rainwater that nourishes it and the sun that helps it grow. Over time, we have witnessed nature evolve alongside us. It has provided us with invaluable gifts; however, every day, it is mutilated in the name of civilisation. These harsh realities make me long for a time when nature was truly loved, respected, and worshipped. In those days, humans were aware of the power that nature holds — capable of giving us life as well as causing destruction. All living beings embody the love and care of the earth and help move us forward.
Today, we are living in the middle of extreme polarities. On one side, some dedicate their lives to preserving and protecting the environment, striving to reverse the damage inflicted upon the earth. On the other side, some continue to exploit the earth with little regard for the consequences. Every explosion that scars the earth, every oil spill that suffocates marine life, and every wildfire that turns lush landscapes to ash is a reminder of the damage we inflict. However, we still have hope for this planet if we can rekindle the ancient respect for nature. If we can once again see the earth not as a resource to be consumed but as a home to be cherished, we may still be able to mend our relationship with the natural world.
This sensibility is the essence of artist Rekha Hebbar Rao’s artworks. Her artistry is a delicate symphony of emotion, memory, and impressionism. She does not confine herself to a singular theme; instead, her works breathe with the quiet innocence of observation, deeply infused with the influences that have shaped her journey. Her art speaks in a deceptively simple language, yet each stroke carries a weight of aesthetic depth and quiet contemplation. The world around her, its rhythms, its fleeting moments of beauty have always been her greatest muse. Yet, beyond all, her most profound inspiration remains her father, the legendary K.K. Hebbar. His ideals, teachings, and artistic sensibilities have been like an invisible hand guiding her, nurturing her evolution as an artist. Growing up surrounded by intellectuals, renowned artists, and cultural connoisseurs, Rao imbibed an intrinsic understanding of creative expression. These experiences did not just shape her thoughts; they allowed her to weave them into the very fabric of her paintings.
Her artworks encapsulate a lost era, a realm where time lingers and artistry is untainted by haste. They evoke a melody, soft yet profound, where the soul finds solace in colours and forms. One can almost compose poetry while standing before her canvases, immersed in the rustic serenity they exude. Her paintings whisper of a world untouched by commercial chaos, a rural simplicity that feels both nostalgic and eternal. In a world that often rushes past beauty, Rekha Hebbar Rao’s art stands as a testament to the profound and the poetic—a quiet reminder of the deep-rooted truths that transcend time, offering a rare and joyous refuge for the soul. This distinctive quality sets her apart as a unique figure in the contemporary art world.
- Jyotirmoy Bhattacharya