**[Tamanna Shah](https://www.cohart.com/tamannazart/profile)** is an intuitive abstract artist whose work is a dance between spontaneity and soul. Guided by emotion and instinct rather than strict structure or planning, she creates deeply personal pieces that explore the tension between self and society, individuality and collective identity. Her art is not just seen—it is felt.

Working with a wide range of materials—from acrylics and inks to watercolors, graphite, and even crayons—Tamanna allows each medium to guide the story. Her tools are unconventional and tactile: palette knives, scrapers, even her hands. Through texture, layering, and raw gestures, her work becomes a visceral reflection of inner truth.

To Tamanna, art is both a mirror and a window—a mirror for self-exploration and a window into universal emotion. She invites viewers into open-ended interpretations, encouraging them to feel rather than decode. In her world, art comforts the disturbed and disturbs the comfortable—acting as both refuge and revelation.

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##### Can you describe your artistic process? What materials and techniques do you typically use?

I am, at heart, an intuitive artist. I dance with materials of all kinds, letting curiosity and instinct guide my hands. In the act of creation, I play—and in that play, I find freedom. When the mind quiets and intuition take the lead, something deeper begins to speak. What emerges is more than just a piece of art—it’s a reflection of self, honest and unfiltered. It is in that spontaneity where true authenticity lives, where originality breathes. My style flows toward the abstract—unbound, expressive, and guided by unconventional methods. With palette knives, scrapers, and the raw touch of my hands, I breathe life into each painting, layering texture, depth, and emotion until a vibrant story emerges. I delight in the dance of experimentation, moving fluidly between acrylics, watercolors, inks, graphite, crayons, and colored pencils. Each medium, with its unique voice and temperament, offers a fresh invitation—a new terrain to explore and transform.

##### What message or emotion do you hope to convey through your art?

Through my art, I hope to evoke a sense of freedom—freedom to feel, to explore, to let go. I want my work to stir something within the viewer, something raw and honest. Each piece is an emotional imprint, born from intuition and unfiltered expression. I don't aim to explain—I invite. I invite others to see their own stories, their own emotions reflected in the textures and colors I create. If my work makes someone pause, feel deeply, or connect with something unseen, then it has spoken in the way I intended.

##### What role does spontaneity versus planning play in your creative process?

For me, spontaneity isn’t just part of the process—it is the process. Creation, at its core, is an act of surrender. I don’t arrive with a plan; I arrive with presence. Each painting unfolds like a conversation between the subconscious and the surface. Planning implies certainty, but art—true, intuitive art—thrives in the unknown. I believe the most honest work is born in that space where control is released, and instinct takes over. Spontaneity is where the soul speaks before the mind interferes. Most of my work is born from spontaneous, instinctive energy—raw, immediate, and guided by intuition. But a few pieces take a different path. They unfold slowly, at their own pace, shaped by moments of stillness and quiet reflection. I don’t force them; I let them become. Each approach holds its own truth, and I honor the rhythm that each piece demands.

##### Can you discuss a piece that challenged you both technically and conceptually?

Absolutely! One piece that truly challenged me both technically and conceptually was an abstract work I created using a minimalist color palette and abstract faces, titled "Me or We". I had a very clear vision of what I wanted the painting to communicate. The real challenge, however, was whether the painting would convey that same message to the audience. My abstract work doesn't feature any specific faces or shapes, and that raised the question: would incorporating abstract line faces still justify and effectively communicate the message I intended?

Working deeply on this piece led to an astounding outcome. The abstract faces in my painting represent society as a whole—the collective presence and diverse perspectives that surround us. The face at the top represents me, observing with a sense of dilemma, caught between the conflicting choices of ‘me’ versus ‘we.’ It symbolizes the struggle to balance individuality with community, self-interest with selflessness. This visual representation captures the essence of my internal conflict as I navigate the delicate line between personal fulfillment and societal expectations.

The cracks, expressed through texture, represent these dilemmas—the fractures within the psyche as I grapple with the tension between self and others. The use of white and yellow creates a soothing contrast, offering a sense of calm that is not unsettling but rather thought-provoking. It subtly hints at the possibility of resolution while still embracing the complexity of this internal struggle.

I love how I was able to keep the faces deliberately abstract, avoiding uniformity to emphasize that identity and society are not always neat or clearly defined. The use of uneven lines to represent myself and the people around me adds to the sense of fluidity and imperfection, highlighting the complexity of the human experience. This approach allows the viewer to interpret the painting in their own way, making it even more relatable and open to individual perspective. The abstraction amplifies the tension between the self and society, reinforcing the emotional depth of the piece.

##### Can you share a specific project or piece that holds special significance for you? Why is it important?

Yes, the abstract work "Me or We" holds special significance for me because it represents a deeply personal exploration of my internal conflict between individuality and the pressure of societal expectations. The painting embodies the struggle to find balance between personal fulfillment and the collective identity, which is something I constantly grapple with. This piece was important because it allowed me to visually express this complex and emotional tension through abstract faces and textures, making it not only a reflection of my journey but also something that others can relate to. The way it captures the fluidity and imperfection of the human experience makes it a pivotal work in my artistic journey, one that communicates the nuances of identity and society.

##### How important is the exhibition space to the presentation of your work? Do you adapt your pieces for different venues or spaces?

The exhibition space holds a certain degree of importance, but ultimately, the work itself is the true voice. The space may influence the way it is perceived, yet the essence and message of the piece transcend the confines of its surroundings. I do not alter my work to fit the particularities of any venue or space, for I believe that art, in its purest form, must speak independently, regardless of the context in which it is placed.


##### What impact do you hope your art has on the community or society at large, if any?

To me, science is a journey of intellectual discovery, while art is the language of the soul. It transcends the confines of reason and speaks directly to the heart. Through abstraction and the exploration of internal conflicts, I seek to create work that connects on a deeply personal level, offering a space to ponder the delicate balance between the self and the collective. In doing so, I hope to nurture a sense of shared humanity, reminding us that while our individual paths may differ, we all navigate similar emotional landscapes. My art reflects the essence of freedom, introspection, and profound thought, carrying messages that invite meaningful reflection and contemplation.

I also hold true to the belief that "Art disturbs the comfortable and comforts the disturbed" because art, at its core, has the power to challenge established norms and provoke thought, particularly in those who may be content with the status quo. For those in positions of comfort, art can serve as a mirror, reflecting uncomfortable truths about society, injustice, or human nature—forces that are often ignored or overlooked in everyday life. It disrupts their complacency, urging them to confront difficult realities and think critically about the world around them.

On the other hand, for those who feel marginalized or troubled, art has the unique ability to offer solace and validation. It can be a source of emotional release, a means of expressing what words cannot, or a reflection of their own struggles. Art becomes a companion, showing that their feelings and experiences are shared, that they are not alone in their turmoil. Through this dual power—disturbing the comfortable while comforting the disturbed—art becomes a transformative force, capable of both awakening and healing, pushing boundaries while also offering empathy and connection.

##### Do you incorporate any cultural or historical references into your work?

As someone born in India, my art naturally reflects elements of Indian culture—particularly through its vibrant color palette and underlying sense of depth. However, my work is not confined to a single cultural narrative. I draw inspiration from the richness of Indian heritage, which is deeply rooted in centuries of tradition, philosophy, and storytelling. There’s something profoundly magnetic about the intricacy of Indian cultural motifs, the symbolism in mythological tales, the elegance of traditional garments, and the expressive power of its colors—from earthy ochres and deep indigos to bright vermilions and golds.

These cultural references often surface in my work not as direct representations, but as subtle echoes—textures, tones, and forms that carry the emotional and philosophical weight of the culture I grew up with. The historical richness of India is not just visual, but also spiritual and intellectual, and that depth often finds its way into my creative process.

That said, my art is also a personal journey and is open to global influences. While India remains a foundational part of my identity and artistic vocabulary, I allow my practice to move beyond borders, embracing a universal language of emotion, introspection, and abstract expression.

##### How do you handle feedback on your work?

Throughout my journey as an artist, I’ve come to see feedback as an essential part of growth—not only technically, but also emotionally and conceptually. Over time, I’ve learned to approach feedback not as criticism, but as a conversation—an exchange of perspectives that reveals how my work is received beyond my own intentions.

Since my art is rooted in emotion, abstraction, and introspection, I understand that each viewer will interpret it differently—and that, to me, is part of its beauty. I welcome feedback, especially when it sparks a dialogue about what the work evokes in others or how it makes them feel. These moments remind me of the profound capacity art has to connect, to challenge, and to comfort.

I don’t let feedback dictate my direction, but I allow it to inform me. It gives me insight into how effectively my expression translates and where my message resonates—or doesn’t. That balance between staying true to my vision and remaining open to evolution is something I’ve learned to embrace through reflection and experience.

##### If you could collaborate with any artist, living or deceased, who would it be and why?

I would love to collaborate with Gerhard Richter, one of my all-time favorite artists. His work has always captivated me—especially his masterful use of movement, energy, and color on large-scale canvases. There’s something truly mesmerizing about the way he navigates abstraction and emotion; his paintings have a powerful, almost transcendent quality that transports me to an entirely different world. His fearless approach to experimentation and his ability to blur the lines between chaos and control deeply resonate with my own artistic journey. Collaborating with him would be both an honor and an incredible creative experience.

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Tamanna Shah creates abstract, intuitive art using texture, color, and instinct to explore identity, emotion, and human complexity.

Spotlight: Tamanna Shah Paints Intuition Into Abstraction

Spotlight: Tamanna Shah Paints Intuition Into Abstraction

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