Deepa Khanna Sobti
Born: 1969
Hometown: Singapore
Based in: Singapore
Born: 1969
Hometown: Singapore
Based in: Singapore
I am a Singaporean artist, poet and philanthropist. I write a unique poem for every painting that I make and both the painting and the poem are exhibited together. My art style is abstract impressionist and I only use oil paints as a medium and only palette knife as tools. My work is multilayered, using bright colors and a unique blend of contrasting light against dark.
The biggest inspiration for my work is nature and the processes of corrosion and erosion, which produce unbelievable abstractions and dramatic stories as the natural pigments, and materials blend and lose themselves in each other.
I use only a palette knife since it is held differently from a brush or a pen or pencil, which due to repetitive use, unconsciously move towards already learned shapes and forms from memory. The palette knife draws more on spontaneity and pushes me to steer away from all that is known.
I very rarely have a plan or image for the work I start. I ride with whatever comes up without judgment and keep going until it is the eyes and not the mind that finally tell me that a piece is complete.
I look for all overall balance and depth without any semblance of particularized form. My eyes seem to love the color black which inevitably seems to find itself into almost all my paintings.
I like to challenge my mind with more and more intricate color and shape interactions while still striving for overall balance without succumbing to predictability and form.
I have been awarded several global juried awards. I won the Royal Arts Prize, London in 2019. I was selected for the Art Museum Chianciano Italy's Biennale 2015 & 2018 and am selected for the London Biennale 2017 & 2019. I won awards at both these Biennale. I was also a finalist for the Art Gemini Prize UK and a winner of an Honorary Mention at the London International Creative Competition. I won a Recognition Prize by Palm Award, Germany and was shortlisted for the International Emerging Artist Award, Dubai. I have been selected for the prestigious Paris Salon d'Automne 2023 and 2024. I have been invited to exhibit by the European Cultural Centre at the Venice Biennale 2024.
I have exhibited my work extensively all over the world in over 55 solo and group exhibitions since 2014. I have four galleries that represent my work on an on-going basis across Europe and Asia.
My art and poetry make a strong suggestion to the viewer to investigate their present experience to realize what reality really is. And to see that the world as it is currently understood, is merely a relative imaginary construct comprising mainly of thought. And that even within that thought construct, there is no separation between the individual and the world he inhabits. And to pave the way for the 'Everything' and the 'Nothing' to shine through the mind. This is the reason my website is called www.emptinessisfull.com.
As my identity of an artist and writer, I hope to be able to bring about a new way of thinking in my viewers. As they see that they as individuals are not separate from the world, not as a religious or spiritual learning, but just from actual investigation, then there is an acceptance of the world which we live in and there is a compassionate sense of universal responsibility.
Since I try to push the viewer to question their most venerate beliefs through a simple investigative prod, the most solid belief, which is in believing that ‘I am a separate, solitary individual in a world that I need protection from’ seems to be questioned for the first time by many. This can then lead to a loosening of all conflict since it is seen that ‘I am not separate from the other or from the world’ and can start a creative and simple, organic process in the mind following the new question – ‘Then who am I?’
As the personal story is slowly let go, there is enormous energy that then comes to the fore available for creativity, compassion, humor, joy and simplicity.
100% of my proceeds from the sale of my artworks are donated to 6 charities that I am closely associated with.
My work is an embodiment of my philosophy of life and I also write poetry to express this along with painting. There are now about 250 poems on my website and each of my paintings is accompanied by a poem written fro that piece.The buyer of the artwork gets the poem as well which is very well appreciated by them
What inspires you?
The limitless nature of life is my constant inspiration. Beauty is seen everywhere in all I see. Whether it is in nature’s processes in its width or in so called specifics in apparent separate objects, intersecting in the eternal dance of life.
Describe your creative process.
My process begins with an uncontrollable admiration and excitement about certain shapes or colours with which I begin to paint. The actual movement of the palette knife, the pressure and the manner of holding it along with the amount of paint and colours chosen are all production of the spontaneous energy of the moment and the painting pretty much paints itself
What are 3 words that best describe your work?
Intense. Fearless. Unique.
Who are some artists that have influenced your work?
Jean Paul Riopelle
What is the most important tool when creating your work?
Palette Knife
What is the best piece of advice you have been given?
The best advice I have ever received is from raw nature like the sound of birds and the breeze and laughter of children.
Where do you go for inspiration?
The mystery of life is unbounded all around us. Each object or event literally comes to life as we perceive it and each perception has an inner aliveness, intricacy and beauty. So I would say, it’s impossible not to be inspired by life’s unending bounty ever.
1 Article
5 Must-Read Tips for Starting Your Art Collection
November 12, 2024
Education
MBA from Institute of Management Technology
India, 1990
Awards
Selected for Paris Salon d’Automne 2024
2023
Woman Art Award 2022, MUSA International with UNICEF, Paris
2022
Woman Art Essence Award, Labo Gallery, Berlin
2022
Shortlisted for Wirksworth Art Festival Online Art Prize, UK
2022
Contemporary Art Curator Mag – Collector’s Vision Int’l Art
2021
Woman Art Award, MUSA International with UNICESCO, Italy
2020
Special Mention for Excellence, Chianciano Biennale, Italy
2018
Palm Art Award, WHOIS Publisher Prize, Germany
2018
Special Mention for excellence, London Art Biennale
2017
Winner of Royal Art Prize, London
2016
Prize Jubilee of Mercy, Rome
2016
Recognition Prize, Palm Art Germany
2015
Honorary Mention, London International Creative Competition
2015
Exhibitions
Venice Biennale
Italy, 2024
Le Salon d’Automne, Paris
France, 2024
Gallery Marie Josie, Kensington London
United Kingdom, 2024
The Untitled Artists Fair, Chelsea London
United Kingdom, 2024
Substance Acctuelle, Galerie Etienne de Causans, Paris
France, 2024
Galerie Seine 55, Paris
France, 2024
Printed billboard at Bastille Metro Station, Paris,
France, 2024
Woman Art Essence, Labo Gallery
Germany, 2023
Museum of Ragusa Sicily
Italy, 2023
Chronos Group Exhibition, São Paulo
Brazil, 2022
Woman Art Award 2022
France, 2022
Parallex Art Fair
United Kingdom, 2022
Abbey Road Gallery
United Kingdom, 2022
Gather at W3 Gallery
United Kingdom, 2022
Audi Showroom, New Delhi
India, 2021
DLF Emporia Mall, Delhi
India, 2021
Shibuya Train Station
Japan, 2020
Woman Art Award (UNICEF)
Italy, 2020
Gagliardi Gallery group show
United Kingdom, 2019
London Art Biennale
United Kingdom, 2019
Affordable Art Fair
Hong Kong, 2019
Clio Art Fair
United States of America, 2018
Chianciano Biennale Chianciano Museum
Italy, 2018
Am I Just A Thought Solo Show at Galleries Pall Mall
United Kingdom, 2018
Winner Of Royal Art Prize Solo Show - Royal Opera Gallery
United Kingdom, 2017
London Art Biennale
United Kingdom, 2017
Spectrum Miami
United States of America, 2016
Formless Within Form- Substation Gallery
Singapore, 2016
Affordable Art Fair
Singapore, 2016
Chianciano Biennale Chianciano Museum
Italy, 2016
Walton Fine Arts Group Show
United Kingdom, 2015
Carousal De Lourve
France, 2015
Paks Museum and Gallery
Austria, 2015
Art Apart Fair
Singapore, 2014
Press
MUSA Internationals Art Space's UNESCO Sponsored "Woman's Essence"
2021
2020 '99 Top Fine Artists of Our Day' book
2020