Artist Zehra Marikar Explores Womanhood and Superstition at Madras Art Salon
Artist Zehra Marikar is showcasing her first exhibition in Chennai since returning from London at the Madras Art Salon, featuring paintings that blend mythology, superstition, and womanhood. Her work incorporates recurring talismanic objects like crows, chillies, and lemons, alongside references to Hindu and Greek mythology, exploring themes of femininity and familial dynamics in Indian society. The exhibition opens to the public on June 12-13 and is part of a monthly series promoting contemporary Madras-based artists.
Artist Zehra Marikar is presenting her work at the third edition of The Madras Art Salon, organized by Madras Art Weekend in collaboration with the British Deputy High Commission, Chennai, and The Botanical Club. Working primarily in acrylic on canvas, Marikar creates vivid, dreamlike compositions that examine womanhood, superstition, and the transition from girlhood to adulthood, with particular attention to how these experiences differ between Indian and Western societies. Her paintings feature recurring symbolic elements including crows, matchboxes, chillies, lemons, and drishti bommais, alongside references to both Hindu and Greek mythology. Notable works include "Who Let the Dogs Out," inspired by Cerberus and featuring figures modeled on Marikar and her sisters (she is one of triplets), and "The Fates," which draws on Greek mythology to explore themes of life, death, and human agency. Marikar describes her creative process as largely unconscious, allowing paintings to unfold as journeys rather than pre-planned compositions. The exhibition runs June 12-13 from 6pm to 7pm with artist walkthroughs available.
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- The HinduCenter
This artist explores womanhood and superstition at Madras Art Salon
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