All images © Nidhi Mariam Jacob, shared with permission
In the painstakingly detailed canvases of Nidhi Mariam Jacob, myriad flowers and fronds bloom in a vibrant visual symphony. The Bangalore-based artist draws on a longstanding love for the environment. “Nature has been my biggest healer since I was a child,” she tells Colossal. “I spent a lot of my time alone, watching flowers and trees in my mother’s and grandparents’ gardens or out in nature. I loved sitting under the shade of a specific mango tree when I felt down or sad or even extremely happy, and I still do to this day.”
Jacob’s mother was adept at tending to a wide array of plants and propagating cuttings. “I used to believe that my mother was a nature goddess,” the artist says. “She would take cuttings from everywhere, stick them in some soil in her kitchen garden and it would be sprouting leaves in no time. I thought she had magic in her fingers!”
In Jacob’s Fantasy Garden series, graceful leaves bolster vivid blossoms, which erupt in dense clusters without a browned edge or dead head in sight. She meticulously renders each specimen’s characteristics in bold lines and patterns using acrylic paint, creating paradisiacal scenes that invite the viewer to explore and relax. “I have been told by many of my collectors that my paintings have brought them good luck, better mental health, and a deep sense of joy,” she says.
A few of Jacob’s gardens are currently on view at the Kempegowda International Airport in Bangalore, and she will present a solo show this December with Kynkyny Gallery. Find more on her website and Instagram.
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