Red. Yellow. Blue. These colors are more than just hues; they evoke memories of home. Dried red chili shines brightly, turmeric powder glows with warmth, and papyrus rustles softly. Walking into Chromatic Currents, Kumari Nahappan’s exhibition at Pristine Contemporary in New Delhi, these fragments of memory come rushing back.
Nahappan, a Singaporean artist of Indian descent, transforms the ordinary into something monumental. Her work, curated by John Tung, shows how color is not just paint but a powerful force that connects material, myth, and memory.
At the core of her exhibit are sculptures of bronze chilies. One titled Baby Asana lies curled like a dancer. Its intense patina gives it a fiery look. Another piece features intertwined chilies, standing like tango partners in a loving embrace.
Nahappan’s inspiration comes from her childhood. Though she rarely visits India, the sensory memories of her grandparents’ home linger. She captures these feelings and presents them in vivid ways.
The exhibition goes beyond spices to explore new visual languages. In one corner, a chessboard features pawns shaped like playful vegetables, painted in glossy red and cream. This playful blend represents the dance between tradition and modernity.
Large canvases on the walls, drenched in deep blue, express quiet melancholy. “That color represents how I felt during COVID,” Nahappan explains. She channeled her emotions into these pieces, turning tough times into art.
Curator John Tung reflects on Nahappan’s ability to shape experiences through color. He emphasizes her work as a bridge that connects the sacred to the everyday, suggesting that her creations are alive in their cultural meanings.
Nahappan’s own journey is one of reinvention. Starting her art career at 37, she left a secure job to take a risk. Now 72, she feels youthful and revitalized by her art. “I feel like a girl under 20,” she smiles, “because my work energizes me.”
Research shows that engaging with art can boost mental well-being and creativity. According to a study from the National Endowment for the Arts, people who regularly visit art exhibits report feeling more inspired and connected to their communities.
In a world where colors and memories intertwine, Nahappan’s work invites us to see the beauty in the everyday and to celebrate the stories behind what we see.
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Kumari Nahappan exhibition, Chromatic Currents New Delhi, Indian origin artist Singapore, monumental spice sculpture, bronze chilli art, John Tung curator, art and sensory memory, Baby Asana sculpture
