Her works speak for themselves. The mind and its resilience is the one motif running through them.
Mind Network, a three-day art exhibition by Reshma Thomas, that is under way at the Women’s Club, Kowdiar, aims at increasing awareness of ‘Dignity in mental health’ in support of World Mental Health Day observed on October 10 every year.
The 40-odd works by Reshma all dwell on the mind, its workings, the insidious effect of mental illness on people, and how with a little help, they can rediscover themselves and live with dignity.
Her decision to call the exhibition Mind Network is an attempt to portray how man relates to society and how it in turn impacts the mind.
‘In the moment,’ the first work, is striking for its visual beauty. The dragonflies in the painting seem to be living in the moment, making the most of it, and set to fly high. ‘Lost in Abyss’ and ‘Fitting in’ try to convey how lost people with mental illness feel. And yet the colours Reshma uses attest to the vibrancy of life, its beauty and how human spirit can overcome adversity.
“I love colours. I play around with them a lot; they are fun and make me happy.”
Reshma, who is doing a study on transgenders as part of her research, says nearly 80 per cent of those she has seen are suffering from depression. Her ‘Glow in the dark’ series tries to get the message across that those suffering from mental illnesses are not less than anyone, that they have potential to enjoy life to the full.
“It can happen to anyone. But it is curable. The support system they have can do a lot to make them feel better.”
A self-taught artist, Reshma says it was in college that she seriously took up art. Her travels also helped hone the artist in her. The exhibition was inaugurated by artist B.D. Dethan.
