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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 

I'm about to set fire to everything I see, China marker, watercolor, glitter paint and marker on paper painting by Cerulean Arts Collective member Navanjali Kelsey
I'm about to set fire to everything I see, mixed media on paper  40" x 30"  Available 

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

It was as if lava had flown down the right side of her visage destroying everything in its path, China marker, watercolor and gouache on paper painting by Cerulean Arts Collective member Navanjali Kelsey
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"  Available 

It was as if lava had flown down the right side of her visage destroying everything in its path, China marker, watercolor and gouache on paper painting by Cerulean Arts Collective member Navanjali Kelsey
Tickle her purple prickles all down her back, 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, China marker, watercolor and gouache on paper painting by Cerulean Arts Collective member Navanjali Kelsey
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