Sackville artist communicates thoughts through bird portraits, sculptures

CBC

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Rhythm Rathi
16-piece exhibition in Saint John wraps up in late August
Mixed-media artist Indu Varma of Sackville, N.B., looks at birds from a different perspective.
Varma, who grew up in India, has created a 16-piece exhibit called Birds & their Symbolism. It is inspired by stories from Hindu mythology, symbolic meanings of birds across different cultures, and her childhood experiences.
The exhibit of paintings and sculptures will be displayed at the Saint John Arts Centre until Aug. 29.
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Caption: Varma's series is inspired by stories from Hindu mythology, symbolic meanings of birds across different cultures and her childhood experiences. (Indu Varma)
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"The birds to me symbolize freedom, open spaces, flying high, not having any boundaries, living in the moment.... I think those are some lessons we can learn from these feathered friends," she said.
Varma calls birds messengers, teachers, storytellers and a bridge between earth and sky.
She describes her style as abstract realism. She said her focus is always to engage her viewers and make them think beyond the subject of the exhibit.
She credits her Indian background for the vibrant colours in her work. "All these things are in my psyche and they automatically show up."
Growing up, Varma often saw her father feed stray birds and animals, she said.
She watched parrots visit her mother's garden and watched peacocks dance in the rain. She said those were some sights that inspired her.
"Peacock also is known to eat snakes, so it's kind of like … they swallow the poison of life and yet they emit their beauty and grace."
She said the series began about five years ago when she was researching crows for another project. Varma said it gradually evolved to other birds.
According to her observation and research, the birds she chose have symbolic meanings in both Indian and Canadian cultures, said Varma.
Varma is a former president of the New Brunswick Teachers' Association. As a leader in education, she always looked at the Canada goose as an example of leadership.
"When they fly in the V formation, the one that is ahead has to work the hardest, but when it gets tired, someone else replaces it, so it's a model of shared leadership."
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Caption: Varma has 16 works on display. (Indu Varma)
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She said those attending the exhibition will learn how she has metaphorically used birds to convey messages and tell stories about freedom, exploration, the possibilities that lie ahead and the fearlessness of exploring outside of one's comfort zone.
Andrew Kierstead, executive director of the Saint John Arts Centre, calls it a "very strong exhibition."
"As an artist, she wants to communicate a particular thought or meaning to the work that she's created and that certainly comes across very clearly," he said.
Kierstead cited several pieces from Varma's display as his favourites. He said the fact that every exhibit is deeply personal to the artist and how she tries to represent two cultures is impressive.
"It is finding that common thread between two cultures that are half a world away."