The Quiet Resilience of Abstraction — A Dialogue with Shruti Gupta

Shruti, let’s start at the beginning. What inspired you to become an artist?

I have always wanted to be an artist — for as long as I can remember. I was a shy child and mostly kept to myself. Watching others, talking to plants and stars was my thing. I loved drawing and colouring. There wasn’t a single art competition at school that I didn’t participate in. My teachers knew me as the girl who drew. Parents, friends, and teachers always received hand-drawn cards from me.
Art accepted me with all my weirdness — always.

Your work has such a strong emotional presence. How would you describe your artistic style?

My artistic style is abstract — an instinctive play of textures, giving in to my impulses. I work with a lot of layers, different mediums and techniques, allowing the work to build and grow, much like life itself. Soft pastel tones and bright neon contrasts often find their way into my work.

                                                     

What themes or ideas do you find yourself returning to again and again?

I explore the fragility of life and its quiet resilience. My inspiration comes mostly from nature and from how I feel and think about everything around me.

 Do you have favourite materials you love working with?

Yes — acrylics, rice paper, oil pastels, oil sticks, and graphite.

 How do you approach starting a new artwork?

I approach a new artwork with three main things: play, play, and more play.

 And how do you know when a piece is finished?

I literally have to pull myself away from a piece to stop!

 What do you find most challenging in the creative process?

Articulating an idea or feeling into a visual composition is the hardest part. Once that bit is done, I roll!

Is there a particular artwork you feel especially proud of?

Yes — a piece called A Letter to the Universe. It’s based on a message my English teacher wrote to me on my last day of school. She said I should always put my hopes and dreams in the clouds — some will fall on me as rain, others will pass, but there will always be a silver lining.
That artwork is currently available at Art to Art Gallery.

                                                       

When people view your work, what do you hope they experience?

I want the viewer to pause. To stay still and dive deep into their feelings as they surface.

 Are there artists who have influenced your journey?

I’m deeply inspired by Georgia O’Keeffe and Hilma af Klint. I find their work compelling and therapeutic.

Where do you draw inspiration from most — nature, music, personal experience?

Nature and personal experiences, mostly.

 Do you enjoy experimenting outside your usual style?

Absolutely. Play, curiosity, and experimentation help me grow as an artist.

 In your opinion, what is the most important skill an artist needs beyond creating art?

Perseverance, experimentation, and play.

 Finally, are there any artworks that hold a particularly deep emotional meaning for you?

Yes. I created a small abstract work on paper titled Cosmos. It depicts the female reproductive system in the form of lotus seeds — a reminder to maintain peace through obstacles and distractions on one’s spiritual journey.
The background and foreground are scattered with stars and constellations within the womb of a woman — the entire universe held within her.

 

As an artist, I deeply resonate with Shruti’s devotion to play, experimentation, and emotional honesty. Her practice is a reminder that art doesn’t always need answers — sometimes it simply needs presence. Through her abstract language, Shruti creates spaces where viewers can breathe, reflect, and reconnect with themselves.

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About the Interviewer
Alpana Rai is a Melbourne-based visual artist whose work explores abstract landscapes and emotional connections to nature.
👉 Visit: www.alpanaraiarts.com