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Artist Statement

My work is inspired by the hidden life of nature. I explore the quiet energy, depth, movement, and invisible connections that exist beneath the visible world. Rather than describing what nature looks like, my paintings express what it feels like from within.

Nature is not only my subject; it is the way I understand life. I am drawn to the silent rhythms that exist within the earth, its layers, roots, textures, and unseen structures. These invisible forces become the starting point of my abstract paintings.

I work with acrylic and oil together in the same painting. Acrylic allows me to build the first structure and movement, while oil adds depth, softness, and a sense of time through multiple layers. I enjoy the dialogue between these two materials because each layer carries its own memory and becomes part of the final image.

My paintings develop slowly. I build the surface layer by layer, allowing colours, marks, and textures to emerge naturally. Instead of covering earlier layers, I let them remain visible, creating a quiet sense of history within the work. For me, every layer reflects the way life itself is built—through time, experience, and continuous transformation.

The colours in my paintings are inspired by the earth. Browns, ochres, warm greens, muted blues, and other natural tones appear repeatedly because they express stillness, balance, and the living energy of nature. I use colour not to describe a place, but to create an emotional atmosphere.

I do not paint nature as a landscape or as a visible scene. I paint its inner life. My work is about depth rather than appearance, feeling rather than description, and the invisible rhythm that connects nature with human experience.

Each painting is an invitation to slow down, to look beyond the surface, and to discover the quiet presence that exists within all living things.

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Biography

Dr. Shagufta Khanam (b. 1979, Atrauli, Aligarh, India) is a contemporary abstract artist based in Lucknow. She holds a Ph.D. in Fine Arts from Aligarh Muslim University. Working with acrylic and oil in layered compositions, her paintings explore the hidden rhythms, depth, and invisible life of nature.

Her work has been exhibited nationally and recognised through several awards. Her paintings invite viewers to look beyond the visible world and experience the quiet energy that connects nature and human life.

Education 

2014  Ph.D. in Painting, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh

2002  Applied Arts (PG Diploma), Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh

2001  Master of Fine Arts (MFA), Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh

Selected solo & group exhibitions

2019       Rhythm – Solo Exhibition, Lalit Kala Academy Regional Centre, Lucknow.

2026      FINEXT Awards & International Exhibition of Mini Artworks, Bhopal, India.
              21st National Exhibition, Sri Dharshini Kala Koodam, Chennai.
              Indrani – Group Exhibition, State Lalit Kala Academy, Lucknow.
              35th State Art Exhibition, State Academy, Lucknow.
              85th All India Annual Art Exhibition, Hyderabad Art Society, Hyderabad.

2025      9th Annual Art Exhibition, Eastern Foundation of Art & Culture.
              Regional Art Exhibition, Lucknow–Prayagraj Region.
              12th All India Annual Art Exhibition, Drishya Balak Samskritika Kalaburagi, Karnataka.
              5th All India Contemporary Art Exhibition, Anand Art Mission, Haridwar.

2024       90th All India Art Exhibition, Indian Academy of Fine Arts, Amritsar.
               Annual All India Art Exhibition, Jammu & Kashmir Centre for Creative Arts, Jammu.
               Khajuraho Art Mart (Ustad Allauddin Khan Sangeet Evam Kala Academy), Bhopal.
               Group Exhibition, State Lalit Kala Academy, Lucknow.

Awards & Recognition

2025        21st Annual Indian Royal Academy National Award.

2024        MANU Award of Honour, Bundelkhand Art Society, Jhansi.

2023        Raja Ravi Verna Gold Award, Lalit Kala Kendra, Assam.

2023        Naari Samman award presented by , Rajya Karamchari Sahitya Sansthan, U.P.

2020        30th Pragati Citra International Golden Award, Konaseema.

2019        Ratan-e-Hind, best abstract artist award by Aura planet at AIFACS. Delhi.

2019        Prafulla Dahanukar City Award.

Collections

State Museum, Shimla, India. 

State Lalit Kala Academy, Lucknow. 

Vrun Badola (Film actor), Mumbai, India. 

Seema Gupta, section officer, Uttar Pradesh Secretariat, India. 

Private collection, Singapore. 

Private collection, Agra, India. 

Private collection, Abu Dhabi, U.A.E.

Art Camps & Workshops

2026          Mahila Chitrakar Shivir on Women Empowerment, organized by State Lalit Kala Academy.

2026          Kriyashala – Invited as a Guest Artist by R.V. University, Bengaluru, to conduct a specialized three-day                              workshop for students.

2025          All India Art Camp by Eastern Foundation of Art & Culture at Vidyagyan School, Sitapur.

2024          National Gallery of Modern Art & Lalit Kala Academy – Viksit Bharat Workshop, New Delhi.

2024          State Museum, Shimla – National Art Camp.

2024          ColorThone with U.P. Tourism & 81Projects.

2023          Lalit Kala Academy Camp, Lucknow.

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© 2026 by Dr. Shagufta Khanam. All Rights Reserved.

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