03/02/2026
Paṅkaja / Ambuja (Born of Mud / Born of Water) is a series of watercolor paintings on canvas which I began in 2018. In this collection, water functions as both archive and medium, holding memory, labor, and transformation in suspension. These works mark my first use of waterlilies and lotuses as central motifs in my practice. Since then, I have used their form as a gateway to experience new media, techniques, and subjects. They serve as metaphors for humanity’s unlimited capacity to evolve, which is itself an act of resistance and an expression of power.
Until now, this series of paintings have never been shown together as an interconnected visual narrative of tenacity as I intended them to be. My hand drawn sketches on the walls link what was once separate into a large body of work. This exhibition offers a cohesive view of my approach to art-making, in which process, material, and metaphor are inseparable. By bringing these works together, this show makes visible the quiet through-lines in my practice: an attention to liminal states, an embrace of uncertainty, and a commitment to honoring what emerges rather than forcing resolution.
Now that the show is closed, I am reflecting on the communities that have contributed to my growth. I want to thank everyone who came out and sent messages of encouragement. Folks from and , both friends and family from near and far, my gratitude extends to you all.
