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Contactadmin2024-12-08T05:17:47+00:00
varunika.saraf@gmail.com

varunika.saraf

Dreamers Dreamers
New year ritual done near about right. I am runnin New year ritual done near about right. I am running a bit behind schedule, this dragon is taking its own fiery err sweet time. 

I am spectacularly particular about the start of the year, I go MIA, except for my family. I like to get things right, make the day as perfect as possible, avoid every possible drama and do what I love the most. Call it a template or a ritual, but get the day right and it sets the tone for the year. 

#studio #painting #artistsoninstagram #artistslife #2025
Gulmohur Quarterly, Issue 16, December 2024. @gulm Gulmohur Quarterly, Issue 16, December 2024.
@gulmohur_quarterly @amar_cant
That’s all folks, see you on the other side! #b That’s all folks, see you on the other side!

#bye2024 #studio #artistsoninstagram #artistslife
Thank you, everyone, for all the heartwarming mess Thank you, everyone, for all the heartwarming messages and calls. You made my day extra special. Much love to my wonderfully eccentric parents and my band of “crazies”– all the awesome, brilliant, witty and incredibly talented people I am lucky to call my friends. I turned 43 yesterday, for a change, with a lot of spunk and gumption, also a fair bit of the right kind of wickedness, for I have crossed off everyone on my “hit list.” Starting a whole new revolution around the sun, feeling the afterglow that comes with standing-up for oneself, even if some of it is post facto.
Thank you @qagoma @tarunpics! 11th Asia Pacific T Thank you @qagoma @tarunpics! 
11th Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art, Queensland Art Gallery (QAG) and the Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA), Brisbane. On view till 27th April 2025 

#triennialqagoma #QAGOMA #varunikasaraf #chemouldprescottroad #thisisqueensland #apt11 #APT #asiapacifictriennial
Can’t celebrate enough @neeta.saraf. Happy 69! A Can’t celebrate enough @neeta.saraf. Happy 69! Another year to bicker and laugh, and most importantly being there for each other when it really counts.
This is one of those little but big wins in life. This is one of those little but big wins in life. It feels a bit surreal. I am participating in the eleventh edition of the Asia Pacific Triennial at the Queensland Art Gallery| Gallery of Modern Art @qagoma , which includes a new commission, Thieves in the Forest. Years ago, if someone had told the college student me that this is in the realm of possibilities, I would not have believed them.

Thank you @rithikamerchant and @shironijoseph for holding me in your thoughts. Your pictures brought much cheer. Much love and power to both of you. 
—
Sharing images of the large painting I created and some of the details.

Thieves in the forest
Watercolour on Wasli, 183 x 275 cm, 2024 
This painting is symbolic of every forest where human greed plays out. It portrays an upside-down world where “development” is a euphemism for repression, violence, mass displacement of people and the loot of natural resources, all in the name of the “greater good”. However, at the heart of the piece lies our collective complacency. The many faces littered across the picture are sometimes hidden in the lush foliage of the forest, huddled together, while at others, assembled, waiting for their chance. It is not immediately apparent if they are the oppressed, the oppressors, or spectators bearing silent witness. Unable to do anything, they watch from the sidelines as “democracy” is unleashed upon indigenous lands. A democracy, which, in reality, perpetuates a neocolonial model of exploitation, leading to deep humanitarian and ecological crises. Here, as the capitalist machinery grinds into action with its cogs – the land surveyors, construction crews, financiers, bankers, officers, and politicians, accompanied by the might of the gun, extra-judicial and systemic violence is a certainty. They speak of a free and fair election and development for all, but for whom? In a world where “progress” entails the appropriation of lands, erasure of histories and indigenous knowledge and the destruction of entire ways of life, where do we stand? Are we not a part of the problem, deeply entrenched as we are and ostensibly benefiting from this exploitative system?
 @tarunpics #triennialqagoma #qagoma
It’s a wrap! As @maleelu say “truly Ameen for It’s a wrap! As @maleelu say “truly Ameen for all the sweetness we have in our lives”. A perfect trip from the start to the finish, thankful for everything that came my way, all the people, art and experiences. Everything I wanted and more. Highlights of course were the important long overdue conversations that took a lot of courage and strength and @yardenakurulkar ‘s amazing show. @mleccha and @sumati_pk missed both of you, soon dosto, wada raha. Stepping into a whole new phase with a lot of lightness and clarity. Bombay you were truly beautiful, much more than I could ever imagined or hoped for.
Celebrating @shireengandhy with a whole lot of art Celebrating @shireengandhy with a whole lot of artists I admire.
Mausi time or rather niece time. Doesn’t matter, Mausi time or rather niece time. Doesn’t matter, we laughed all evening.
Instagram post 17970443213796887 Instagram post 17970443213796887
Uma-Maheshwara, always special. #elephanta Uma-Maheshwara, always special. 

#elephanta
Back to being as stubborn as I used to be when I w Back to being as stubborn as I used to be when I was a child after a hiatus for three decades. For a change doing exactly as I please. Damn well going to read PC on the island. For now trying not to snooze off. 
#hellbent
With @chemouldprescottroad at @artmumbaiofficial s With @chemouldprescottroad at @artmumbaiofficial soon.
Working away slowly and steadily in the morning li Working away slowly and steadily in the morning light. 

#studio #varunikasaraf #embroidery #artistslife #everyday #wip #textile #embroideryart
Rayalaseema and beyond Rayalaseema and beyond
Instagram post 18424854343072756 Instagram post 18424854343072756
Instagram post 17981099363617280 Instagram post 17981099363617280
Lepakshi. Lepakshi.
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