Zen: Nissa Raad

“In every walk with nature, one receives far more than he seeks”

Unlike my last solo exhibition which explored the urban environment, this exhibition is an exploration of our connection the natural world. The works were heavily inspired by a hiking trip that I took in an incredible forest in the Himalayas where I found myself alone for a period of time- like a lost bird – lost, free and a little scared, but at peace. There was no noise, no people, no thoughts- just the sounds of the forest and my hiking pole tapping the ground. I was occupied with nothing but the magnificent beauty that surrounded me and focused on nothing but the ground ahead of me. It was truly a zen moment. The physical and mental escape that one finds in nature is invigorating, refreshing and empowering.

The pieces in this exhibition are heavily influenced by this recent rediscovery of nature’s healing power, by my renewed relationship with it and by my newfound appreciation for its beauty and its ability to give you inner peace. I sought to capture themes of life, balance and rebirth. It is my first foray into semi abstraction- organic forms such as rocks, nests, bubbles, cells, leaves, eyes and the lines and pathways are symbolic of how everything in nature is interconnected, and how we must stay connected to it. I relied heavily on mixed media and focused on texture and layers- just as nature itself is textured, layered and complex- and we are as well. The colours are revitalizing and happy- as is nature’s effects on the spirit.

NISSA RAAD