Navanjali Kelsey

Cerulean Arts Collective Member Navanjali Kelsey” style=

Early memories of home summon visions of draped saris, in every color imaginable. Rich with intricate patterns, metallic threads, and often bead work, they become sculptural forms as they twist and adorn the human form. Patterns and shapes curve into folds and pleats of a sari—a garment my grandmother still wears today. These dynamic details and lustrous folds, along with their patterning, reveal a history that takes one back to my parents’ regions of India: Bihar and West Bengal. Dense turmeric yellow, viridian green, and vermillion entangle on batiks across the walls of my childhood home, that convey imagery of figures. Goddesses and dancers reside in these textiles, surrounded by the drips and the cracks of the residual wax. My mother’s gold bangles that sparkle and jingle together with every movement conjure lyrical sounds in one’s mind. The delicate detailing and design of these bangles shimmer in my recollections. These reveries are examples of the vibrant imagery that trickles into my identity and has contributed to my studio practice.

My work pulls from memory, and experiences of home. A figure swirls and emerges on the surface. China marker, liquid watercolor and gouache entangle and synthesize across the surface. These forms are suggestive and reminiscent of the art that I witnessed in my childhood home, but take on a life of their own. Decorative patterning, which I have absorbed in the form of textiles, jewelry, and other adornment inevitably seep through the figure’s stance. Much of these influences have their roots in Indian miniature painting, which is rich with pattern and detail.

Navanjali Kelsey Resume

Navanjali Kelsey's upcoming solo exhibition will be presented June 3 - 28, 2026.

Abstract artwork with a blue central sphere surrounded by black and gray elements
But every so often a blue moon surfaces. A snow leopard slinks by., China marker, watercolor, and acrylic on paper, 31" x 50" Available

Abstract artwork with splashes of purple, blue, yellow, and black.
The flowers were closed, not yet blooming. She dove to the bottom of the lake to dig up roots., China marker, watercolor, acrylic, and marker on paper, 28" x 20" Available

Abstract art piece with a figure in blue, white, and yellow colors on a dark background
The woman raised her face to the inky sky for an answer, watercolor, acrylic, and marker on paper, 28" x 33" Available

Abstract artwork with peacocks in blue and black patterns on a teal background
Another peacock picnic, China marker, watercolor, and acrylic on paper, 38" x 24" Available

Colorful abstract artwork with fish-like shapes and splashes of pink, purple, and green.
She was so big that the fish and coral mistook her shadow for a raincloud, China marker and watercolor on paper, 24" x 24" Available

Abstract artwork with a mix of colors and textures
The force of the receding currents has created a strange universe. It has pushed an octopus, a pipefish, a tiger and a sea urchin into an inextricable embrace., China marker, watercolor, and marker on paper, 20" x 27" Available

Abstract artwork with a central figure in blue and black
Do you see the waterfall? It is a sign that we are home., watercolor, alcohol ink, and marker on paper, 37" x 24" Available

Abstract artwork with colorful leaves and floral elements on a brown background
This lion will have red flames., China marker, watercolor, and marker on paper, 33" x 28" Available

Abstract artwork with blue, black, and gold colors
Each portrait is a discovery. It is a fossil retrieved from the gravel of memories and preoccupations., alcohol ink, marker, and acrylic on paper, 30" x 30" Available

Colorful abstract artwork with a figure and intricate designs and patterns
Sinking into the snow, slipping through the glacier's crevasses and cracking, China marker, watercolor, acrylic, and marker on paper, 19" x 10" Available

Abstract artwork with splashes of yellow, blue, and orange on a dark background
She climbs the cliff on the other edge and squints into the horizon. She reflects on them - the ocean, the sky the verse., alcohol ink, watercolor, acrylic, and marker on paper, 23.75" x 23.75" Available

Abstract artwork with blue, green, and black colors on a textured background
The clouds have disappeared, revealing the illuminations within the darkness, China marker, watercolor, and acrylic on paper, 18" x 18" Available

Abstract artwork with colorful splashes and patterns
The soothing cascades of a waterfall conjure up images of lotus ponds with wisps of gold swimming in them, China marker, watercolor, and marker on paper, 24" x 36" Available

Abstract artwork with intricate designs and vibrant colors on a dark background
Besides the odd firefly she notices two golden eyes, China marker, watercolor, and acrylic on paper, 32" x 34" Available

Abstract artwork with splashes of color and geometric shapes
They travel in a rickshaw pulled by a beast of burden, China marker, watercolor, and acrylic on paper, 14" x 17" Available

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Navanjali Kelsey's previous solo exhibition was on view January 15 - February 9, 2025. A selection of works is currently available at the gallery as indicated. For inquiries on all other works shown, please Contact Us.
Tour & Talk with Navanjali Kelsey

We rise; the shapes cluster around us in welcome, dissolving and forming again, China marker, watercolor, and acrylic on paper, 38" x 24" Available

On my first morning I had the impression of no walls no windows no doors just the suspension of my body in the sky, China marker, watercolor, and glue on paper, 24" x 24" Available

A smoke rose before my hissing feet, and just before I fainted, I said to myself: I am a woman who has walked on fiery coals and lived, mixed media on paper, 36" x 30" Available

There should be a place where only the things you want to happen, happen, China marker, watercolor, and marker on paper, 24" x 18" Available

One of the most majestic, yet underrated birds to hunt is the overlooked peacock, mixed media on paper, 40" x 24" Available

On full moon nights she was a free spirit of primeval ocean exploding with life the mightiest one there ever was, mixed media on paper, 30" x 36" Available

Eyes that burned above him in the sky, whirling like constellations, China marker, watercolor and acrylic on paper, 44" x 38"

Several times we stepped into pools that were disguised as stretches of marble flooring that ruined our elaborate court attire, China marker, watercolor, gouache and acrylic on paper, 38" x 26"

The magical pink lion used his abilities to create portals for transportation (although that later power has a notably draining effect on Lion's stamina.), China marker, watercolor, and acrylic on paper, 34" x 26" SOLD

Undeterred, the shark kept repeating this behavior to no avail. Meanwhile, the bait swam around unharmed., China marker, watercolor, glitter paint and acrylic on paper, 39" x 32" SOLD

Defeat magical enemies, find hidden items, discover illusory walls, China marker, watercolor, and acrylic on paper, 38" x 24"

I would come to know the many moods, blue by day, apricot by sunset, bruised by the advent of night or storms, China marker, watercolor, and acrylic on paper, 32" x 26" SOLD

And the wild things ... gnashed their terrible teeth ..., China marker, watercolor, and glue on paper, 24" x 18"

I'm about to set fire to everything I see, mixed media on paper 40" x 30" SOLD

It was as if lava had flown down the right side of her visage destroying everything in its path, mixed media on paper, 38" x 24" SOLD

Tickle her purple prickles all down her back, mixed media on paper, 40" x 24" SOLD