Rajul Shah Verified

I am an international mixed-media artist whose work engenders respite and renewal from the chaos of daily life.  My work is an exploration of interconnection between the ancient art of kintsugi, the spiritual world of chakras, and the emotional resonance of color. "Alchemy of Renewal" is a visual representation of the transformative power of embracing imperfections, the balance of energies within, and the vibrancy of the human experience.

The art of Kintsugi, rooted in Japanese tradition, is a practice of mending broken pottery with lacquer mixed with precious metals. Through this process, the once-flawed object becomes a work of art, each golden seam celebrating its history and resilience. I draw inspiration from kintsugi as a metaphor for the human journey. We, too, bear the scars of life's trials and tribulations. These scars, like the cracks in pottery, tell our unique stories and signify our strength.

For me, the concept of chakras, energy centers within our being, aligns beautifully with the idea of kintsugi. Just as kintsugi restores broken pottery, balancing and healing our chakras helps us mend the energy imbalances within us. Each chakra is represented by a distinct color, symbolizing a different aspect of our physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. In "Alchemy of Renewal," I explore the harmonious relationship between these energy centers and their corresponding colors.

Color, a universal language that transcends words, plays a pivotal role in my artwork. The colors associated with chakras guide the visual narrative of transformation. Red symbolizes the root chakra, our foundation and stability. Orange represents the sacral chakra, where creativity and emotions flow. Yellow embodies the solar plexus chakra, signifying self-confidence and personal power. Green evokes the heart chakra, where love and compassion reside. Blue embodies the throat chakra, our center of communication and expression. Indigo represents the third eye chakra, our window to intuition and insight. Finally, violet and white symbolize the crown chakra, our connection to the divine and spiritual enlightenment.

Through intricate patterns of color, I convey the flow of energy within, as each chakra contributes to our holistic well-being. The artwork's composition mirrors the balance we strive to achieve in life—imperfect, yet beautiful in its entirety.

"Renewal" invites viewers to reflect on their own journey of healing, acceptance, and growth. It celebrates the resilience of the human spirit, the power of transformation, and the beauty that arises from embracing our imperfections. Just as kintsugi turns broken pottery into works of art, we, too, can find strength and beauty in our journey of healing, guided by the harmonious energies of our chakras and the vibrant palette of our emotions.

MATERIALS

I do not limit myself to select materials.  Instead, I use whatever materials or media inspire me as I create my artwork.  Substrates can include canvas, wood, paper and/or a combination of these and other textile materials.  Much of my artwork includes some form of gold, silver and/or metal leaf. I also enjoy experimenting with other substrates, such as Tree Bark Paper and Papyrus.

As a tactile artist, I enjoy working with different textures and will often lay down the first few layers of media with my hands to create more intimate connections with my art.  I enjoy feeling the paint between my fingers as I lay down colors on the substrate. At times, I will sandpaper layers of paint back to reveal the colors and/or patterns underneath.

I work with oil, acrylic, gouache, and watercolor paint mediums combined with gold, silver and other metal leaf, across western and Japanese brush strokes.

I am an international mixed-media artist whose work engenders respite and renewal from the chaos of daily life.  My work is an exploration of interconnection between the ancient art of kintsugi, the spiritual world of chakras, and the emotional resonance of color. "Renewal" is a visual representation of the transformative power of embracing imperfections, the balance of energies within, and the vibrancy of the human experience.

What needs repair does not need to define us. We can heal, regenerate, and evolve into improved versions of ourselves, with renewed strength and purpose

SHOWS/EXHIBITIONS

2024
Feb: Arts House, Singapore - Canvas Connections Group Show
Feb: Camelback Gallery Artist Invitational VIII - USA Finalist
Feb: Grey Cube Gallery 2024 Abstract Art Show - USA Finalist

2023
Dec: Circle Foundation for the Arts “Circle Quarterly Art Review” - Artistic Excellence Award
Dec: Voice of Art II Group show, BeOne Gallery - ION Orchard Gallery, Singapore
Dec: Collectible Art Fair SG 2023 - The Art Space by Natalie Wong, Singapore
Nov: Circle Foundation for the Arts Personal Artist Book Contest - Artistic Excellence Award
Nov: “Celebrations” Group Show - German Centre for Industry & Trade, Singapore
Sep-Oct: Elements, The Healing Power of Art & Artists, Manhattan Arts NYC
Aug: Bronze Award, Artist Invitational VII, Camelback Gallery, USA
Aug: Art Seen Magazine - The Curators’ Salon. Juried Acceptance Available here on Amazon
Aug: HMVC Gallery NY Freestyle Group Show work displayed at Times Square, NYC
Aug: Circle Foundation for the Arts Exhibition in Miami - Artistic Excellence Award
Jul: Longlisted Visual Art Open 2023 UK & International Emerging Artist Awards
Jul: Longlisted Visual Artist Association Professional Artist Award 2023
Jun - Sep: Resilience & Renewal Solo Show The German Centre for Industry & Trade - Singapore
The Healing Power of Color 2023 Exhibition: The Healing Power of Art & Artists, Manhattan Arts, NYC
Online Solo Exhibition: Teravarna Gallery Rajul Shah - Teravarna Gallery
Featured Artist: Camelback Gallery Rajul Shah Featured Artist
May: German Centre, Singapore solo show: Resilience & Renewal
Apr: Gallery at the Well, Emerald Hill, Singapore
Mar-Apr: Small Works Group Show Maya Gallery, Singapore
Mar: “HER STORY 2023”: Online Gallery, Manhattan Arts NYC USA
Mar: Tokyo Tower Art Fair, Tokyo Japan
Feb: ISEA Making Our Marks 9th Annual Member Only Online Exhibition
Jan: Healing Power of Art and Artists, : “The Healing Power of Art Inspired by Nature” 2023. Online Gallery, Manhattan Arts NYC USA

2022
Winter 2022: Circle Foundation for the Arts Quarterly Art Magazine - Artistic Excellence Award
Dec: India Art Fair: Bangalore
Nov: Honorable Mention: 6th Annual Skies Art Exhibition, Fusion Gallery
Oct: Finalist ArtExpo New York Contest: Circle Foundation of the Arts
Oct - Nov: Thrive! Exhibiting Breast Cancer Journeys, NMB Discovery Library, Miami, FL
Healing Power of Art and Artist: Resilience 2022. Online Gallery, NYC USA
Oct: Thrivers Breast Cancer Awareness Art Show, Shipyard Garden, Hollywood, FL.
August: Shortlisted Visual Artist Association Professional Artist Award 2022
August: Longlisted Visual Art Open 2022
Jun: Group Show: True Colors, MusnadiWeskamp Galerie, Koln, Germany
Mar: 2022 ALL WOMEN Artist Competition & Exhibition. Contemporary Art Gallery Online
Mar: Passionate Excellence (Group Show) - NMB Library, North Miami Beach, FL USA
Feb: Gallery at the Well, Emerald Hill, Singapore
The Spirit of Resilience 2022, Manhattan Arts International Online Gallery, NYC USA

2021
Nov: International Society of Experimental Artists:

“Utterly Unfathomable and Powerfully Profound” 3rd Annual Member Only Online Juried Exhibition.
Nov: CANCER: Never Give Up- 2021 Gallerium Art
Oct - Dec: Art in Lockdown, Miramar Cultural Center, Miramar, USA
Oct: XIII Florence Bienniale: Florence, Italy
Sep -Oct: Interwoven: An Exhibit of Breast Cancer Art, Broward Art Guild, Miami, USA
Oct-Jan: Gallery at the Well, Emerald Hill, Singapore
Jun/Jul Contemporary Art Gallery Online: All Abstract Art Exhibition - Winner
May/Jun: Contemporary Art Gallery Online: All Landscape Art Exhibition
May: Circle Foundation for the Arts 6th Quarterly Art Review: Artistic Excellence Award
2021 Visual Arts Association International Show
2021 Spring Online ISEA (International Society of Experimental Artists)
2021 Mellow Art Award, Japan - Special Prize
Feb: Colors of Humanity Gallery - Red 2021 Show
Jan: LightSpaceTime: “All Women” Art Exhibition - Special Recognition

2020
Nov/Dec: Circle Foundation for the Arts Magazine Art IDEAL: Artistic Excellence Award
Nov: HelvetArt November 2020 “Red” Show
Nov: ArtisTTAble 38th Exhibition: 2020 Women’s Show
Nov: Fusion Arts 5th Anniversary Art Exhibition Vishudha I: Hear Us Rise
Oct: 2020 American Art Awards - 5th place Abstract Expressionism
Oct: LightSpaceTime: 10th Exhibition “Landscapes” - Special Recognition
Oct: Colors of Humanity Gallery “Landscapes”
Sep: Contemporary Art Room Online Gallery – 2nd Annual Skies Art Exhibition: http://www.artroomgalleryonline.com/current_exhbition.html
Sep: 3rd Annual Women Artists – 15th Quarterly Art Competition Online Juried Art Exhibition – Fusion Art
Sep: A Light in the Darkness, Las Laguna Gallery – Group Show. https://wwwlaslagunagallery.com/light
Aug: 4th Annual Skies Art Exhibition – https://www.fusionartps.com/4th-annual-art-exhibition-august-2020
Aug: 29th Annual International Society of Experimental Artists – originally Alberta, Canada now online due to COVID-19
Jul: Honorable Mention “SPACE” ArtisTTable 36th Online Exhibition.
Jun: Finalist: June 2020 Grey Cube Gallery Skies Exhibition (online juried)
Jun: LightSpaceTime: 10th Annual “Seascapes” Exhibition 2020 (International Juried) -Special Recognition
Apr – May: “All Planet Earth” International Juried Online Exhibition, Contemporary Art Gallery
Apr: 3rd Annual Online “COLORS” Art Competition (international juried), Contemporary Art Room Gallery
Artsy Shark Artist Showcase Spring 2020
Mar: LightSpaceTime: 11th Annual Abstracts Group Exhibition (international juried) - Special Recognition
Mar: All Women Artist Competition (international juried Group Show)
Mar: “Skies” Group Exhibition (international juried)
Spring All Members Online Exhibition International Society of Experimental Artists
Feb: “If Walls Could Speak” IONArt Gallery w Mayinart/ARTPODium, Singapore
2019
Aug: 32nd Annual National Japanese Exhibition of Nature (National – Juried) Ueno No Mori Art Museum, Tokyo - Japan
Jul: Group Show – Art No Millenni Gallery, Barcelona
Jun: Tokyo International Art Fair (Juried) Belle Salle, Roppongi, Tokyo, Japan
May: Hartexpo Barcelona – Art Nou Millenni Gallery
May: 40th Regional Shinseisaku Group Show – Yokohama Civic Center
Feb – Apr:  Abstract-Fully Yours. Art for Charity Group Show. ANA Crowne Plaza Hotel, Kobe, Japan
Jan – Mar: The Healing Power of Art. Online Juried Exhibition. Manhattan Arts International

2018
Nov:  49th Annual Genyou-ten Exhibition (National – Juried) Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, Ueno – Japan - Honorable Mention: Kusukabe Paints
Sep-Oct:  82nd Annual Shinseisaku Exhibition (National -Juried) National Art Gallery, Tokyo – Japan
Oct – December: Our Bond with Nature. Online Juried Exhibition. Healing Power of Art. Manhattan Arts International
Sep-Oct:  Spirited Away. Solo    Best Living Studios. Tokyo, Japan
Aug:   Group Show. BMW Gallery. Osaka, Japan
Jun-Aug: HER Story Online Juried Exhibition. Healing Power of Art. Manhattan Arts International
May:  The Bucket List.  Solo show. Kitano Alley Gallery. Kobe, Japan
May – Aug:  Art & Patisserie. Co-exhibitor. Stressed Patisserie. Intercontinental Hotel Osakai
Feb: India Art Festival Solo Nehru Centre, Mumbai, India

2016/2017
Nov ‘17: An Artful Christmas Group Intercontinental Hotel, Osaka, Japan
Oct ‘17: The Fuji Collection Solo Kitano Alley Gallery, Kobe, Japan
Sep ‘17: Print Show Group Kitano Alley Gallery, Kobe, Japan
Jun ‘17: Art For Charity Group Kitano Alley Gallery, Kobe, Japan
Mar ‘17: Blossom Blast Daily Rotating Easel Solo UltraNew Super Gallery, Harajuku, Japan
Nov ‘16: International Bazaar Group Show Tokyo American Club, Tokyo, Japan
Oct ‘16:  Indian Icons: Peace, Spirit, Joy Co-Exhibitor DesignFesta Gallery, Harajuku, Japan
AFFILIATIONS
Artling

Healing Power of Art & Artists, New York

Manhattan Arts International, New York

Circle Foundation of the Arts, UK

Purple Octopus Art, USA

Teravarna Gallery

MEMBERSHIPS
VAA: Visual Artist Association

ISEA: International Society of Experimental Artists

Canvas Connections: Womens’ Art Collective in Singapore

Women’s Art Association of Singapore

PUBLICATIONS
Art Seen Magazine - The Curators’ Salon. Juried Acceptance Available here on Amazon

SPOTLIGHT Magazine: Issue 32. Healing Winds of Manipura I&II

AATANOU: The Healing Art of Rajul Shah

SPOTLIGHT Magazine: Issue 24, p. 163:  Healing Manipura I

ART International Contemporary Magazine January/February 2022

WHITE ENSO. Issue 2 Summer 2021 “A Painter’s Vision of the Art of Kintsugi” - Author: Rajul Shah

Artsy Shark - Feb 2021 “Evolution of an Expat Artist” - Inspiration Article

Passage July/August 2020:  Friends of the Museum, Singapore “The Japanese Art of Kintsugi” Author: Rajul Shah

STUDIO VISIT MAGAZINE, 2019: Volume 45 & 46

ONBEAT Magazine Volume 8, 2017 Tokyo, Japan