Collage from the French word coller meaning 'to stick' was first introduced into fine arts by Georges Braque and Pablo Picasso when they worked together from 1909 onwards. It was later used by the Surrealists in their works. In collage, works are made by sticking materials such as paper, cloth or photographs, usually items that are flat.  Most collage terminology is in French.

   In Gallery 1 I have used handmade or tissue paper to give abstract forms, preferring to déchirer or tear the paper rather than découper or cut. The biggest challenge for the collage artist is how to use the materials s/he has at her/his disposal. And as you can imagine there is a lot of material to choose from.

   I first work with my paints to prepare the surface to stick on, keeping in mind the colors of the paper and the Sanskrit meaning. After gluing the handmade paper I finish the collage with bold strokes and detailing to further unite the different media.

   I have taken fragments of Sanskrit texts from the Vedas, as they were originally written circa 1700 BC, and therefore each painting symbolizes the words. The Vedas are one of the oldest testaments of mankind and are the precursor to the Hindu religion of today. I find these works derive from my search for spirituality.