Hi, I'm Meenal! Usually covered in paint, always finding something new to create.

Reclamation

Mixed media: Acrylic paint, artificial moss, natural twigs, branches, leaves, and hot glue on wood panel

I've always enjoyed finding new possibilities in familiar things. In Reclamation, I reimagined the traditional Mona Lisa with unconventional materials: moss and real branches reclaim her face, hot glue forms spiderwebs, scratches age the wood, and dried acrylic mimics peeling paint. Just as I look beyond the recognizable in art, I'm curious to discover the stories and qualities in people that aren't immediately visible.

Where Banana Leaves Become Home

Growing up, I cherished gatherings with the girls and aunties, sharing stories and eating with our hands. From a bird's-eye view, I placed banana leaves at the center, where everyone gathers, framed by vibrant saris, jasmine flowers, a colorful pai (woven mat), and kolam patterns. These traditions connect my girlhood to generations of women who shaped it. To me, home is a banana leaf surrounded by the people and traditions I hold close to my heart.

The Weight of Beauty

Mixed media: Watercolor, black ink, chalk pastels, faux pearl beads on paper

I used to look at my friends and see the beauty standards I wanted to meet, often wondering if my thick, black, oiled hair and blemished skin made me any less beautiful. Each pearl represents the beauty products, skin treatments, hair care routines, and negative thoughts I carried while trying to change myself to fit those standards, together symbolizing the weight of society's beauty expectations. Over time, I've learned to take pride in my South Indian roots and embrace the very features I once wished to hide.

Please Don’t Leave

Mixed media: Watercolor and decorative glass fragments on paper

Losing a friend to leukemia taught me that tomorrow is never guaranteed. I painted two hands reaching from beneath still water, desperate to hold on just a little bit longer. That feeling of helplessness stays with me, reminding me to cherish every person in my life and never take our time together for granted.

Just One More

As a child, “just one more” was a familiar promise I made whenever I reached for another piece of candy. Through vibrant colors, bold contrasts, and overlapping sweets, I recreated the excitement and simple joys of childhood. Each candy represents a small moment of happiness, reminding me that growing older doesn't mean leaving behind the curiosity, playfulness, and little pleasures that once brought me joy.