Priya began her journey into the world of art on a trip to India at the age of 10, where she was introduced to mehndi (henna) and exposed to more traditional patterns than she could ever imagine. Priya begged her grandmother (Nani) for a tube of mehndi and wanted to decorate anyone that would let her. Priya was told to practice and plan her designs on paper before trying them on herself, and Priya hasn’t stopped creating since. Priya has not had the opportunity (yet) to receive classic artistic training, though she has received creative insights and was taught techniques by like-minded souls who excel in their respective crafts. Priya was born and raised in the unceded, unsurrendered Territory of the Anishinaabe Algonquin Nation. Aside from art, Priya likes to skijor and hike with her partner and their two Huskies.

ARTIST’S STATEMENT

Priya’s works draw inspiration from her dreamscape, a haven used to escape the dark shadows that have haunted her since she was a child. Priya’s dreamscape hosts the dances of the Aurora Borealis on their mountainous stages –beautiful scenes that set her soul on fire, accented by rocky terrains, florals, and vibrant colours. Priya brings her dreamscape to life through her art and shares those moments of happiness with anyone who may need the light it brings. Priya uses various media such as ink, gouache, pencil crayons, and watercolours to capture melancholy movements accentuating them with minimal linework, embroidery, and found materials like twigs and dried botanicals.