In a World of Gods and Goddesses marks the first time a large collection of Indra Sharma's work has appeared outside of the Indian subcontinent. By magically combining contemporary and traditional artistic styles, Sharma creates icons of Hindu gods and goddesses that are altars of worship for millions. Steeped in India's ancient Vedic cosmology, these prayerful, captivating paintings contain a complete who's who of the Hindu pantheon. Ganesh, Shiva, Laxmi and Krishna come alive as divine forms in this unique and richly colored work.
Art has remained a central theme throughout my life. I recently visited an exhibit of Hakuin. The experience awoke in me a sense of connection to the past - to tradition - and if you've seen some of his work, his humor and depth evokes that openness in which individual voices touch, and express, the universal.
I now run a clinic of traditional medicine, focusing on serving my local community through Ayurvedic, Kampo (Japanese) and traditional Chinese Medicine. I believe these traditional healing systems share a common history as being forms of social medicine. Our connection to the community, the environment - to our own breath and emotions - serve as vital indicators of health.
In recent years, I have continued my writing in the academic realm. I've learned much from hearing personal stories, through my work, and have taken a special interest in qualitative research methods. I believe, as many do, that the answers many of us seek are to be found in the "meaning context" of our own lives.
