Priyamvada, her influences and inspirations
A Journey Through Colours and Cultures
Priyamvada Shukla’s artistic journey is a testament to passion, perseverance, and the enduring influence of heritage.
Born with a deep admiration for art, her earliest memories are filled with the sight of her grandfather painting intricate works inspired by Rococo and Baroque styles. As a child, she would often sit quietly, observing his skilled hands bring life to canvas—a formative experience that would later ignite her own creative spark. Although she did not pursue painting seriously until her late twenties, the seeds of artistry were planted early, and once she began, there was no turning back.
Priyamvada's art is distinguished by its versatility. She explores a wide range of subjects—landscapes, portraits, and seascapes—using diverse media such as oil, watercolour, acrylics, and mixed techniques. Each material becomes a language through which she communicates mood, emotion, and memory.
Her time at the Putney Art School was pivotal in refining her skills and exposing her to different artistic styles and techniques. This education allowed her to develop a distinct visual voice, characterized by a unique sensitivity to colour. Her visualisation of hues and tones breathes life into her paintings; as she often says, “It livens my life and the moods of the people who see it.”
Throughout her career, Priyamvada's work has evolved alongside her personal journey. As a mother, she found ways to nurture her children’s creativity while pursuing her own artistic goals, passing down the same passion that once inspired her. Her multicultural experiences—living in France and later settling in London, where she has resided for the past twenty years—have left an indelible mark on her art. The interplay of cultural influences is evident in her abstract compositions, where European elegance meets Indian vibrancy.
Recognition of her talent came early when she won an All India Sketch Contest as a young girl, a sign of the promise that would later bloom fully. Now at fifty-five, Priyamvada continues to paint with the same enthusiasm that first drew her to the easel. Her journey is not merely about mastering technique but about embracing art as a way of life—one that connects generations, cultures, and emotions through the universal language of colour and form.
