Komal Madar

Komal Madar is a British Indian mixed-media artist based in West London. She works from her art studio at Stewkley House Art Studios, Perivale, London Borough of Ealing. She studied at UAL, Byam Shaw School of Art (2007-8), The University of Reading BA, Fine Art (2003-7) and Central St Martins (2002-3).

Madar works across a range of media, from painting, film, sculpture, and installation. She incorporates materials such as, heavily textured impasto, pigment powders, straw, textiles, and typically discarded resources such as, fabric, and materials that reflect my interest in reuse - memory and identity.

Her Indian heritage has profoundly influenced her approach to painting, using references from Indian music, culture, religion and textiles; which also led her to use unconventional techniques. Using heavily decorative and intricate patterns and wild mark-making techniques, she engages with widely diverse themes, including spirituality, concepts and mythology in Hinduism - Yuga Cycle, Life cycles/cycle of samsara (birth, life, death, rebirth), sacred ideals, identity, nature Tantric paintings and her most recent series exploring Yoni.

"I want the viewer to go on a journey that not only evokes an emotion but one that offers an insight into my own subconscious and interest in ideas around transcendence. I want the freedom to explore my identity and expressions without boundaries.”

Her intuitive response and use of materials is central to her process. Her studio unveils her use of techniques, from flicking, scraping, splattering, and burning materials such as acrylics, oil, inks, fabric and plaster.

Circles are a recurring theme in her work; Madar is drawn to their symbolic, cultural and religious associations including the Cosmic world, ideas around the cyclic universe, Chakras (wheel) and the natural world.

Her works can be explored and enjoyed within each categorised collection; Surface, Reimagined landscapes, Natural World, Lost Found & Treasured, Śhakti- sanskrit for (power, energy, strength) and Dhyāna (meditation).

In 2018 Madar curated her first solo exhibition (Visions of Colour); showcasing a large collection of her work including paintings featured in world leading publications like Vogue, House and Garden, and The World of Interiors. Madar has been a twice-shortlisted artist at La Galleria Pall Mall for the Royal Arts Prize exhibition in London and the Art Rooms exhibition in Rome.