Jyoti Bathija

I am a self-taught artist born in India. My name "Jyoti" means "light" and shedding light on many dimensions of life through art is my passion.

I started to paint with the fervent wish that my art speak to as many people as possible. To me, art stems from life. I am deeply interested in the psychological aspect of my subjects. Therefore, my pursuit is to depict the conflicts of human existence through my favorite medium of oil on canvas. Besides oil paintings, I also create folk sand paintings of ancient figures and temporary henna tattoos.

Working in a semi-abstract style, I have expanded on themes drawn from my personal and cultural experiences. Often contrasting the contemporary and the ancient woman, I have explored the relationship between knowledge and wisdom, adversity and eternal hope, mythical and philosophical interpretation.

Hoping to awaken hearts and minds to a higher reality, I have tried to depict not only the solidity of objects and people but also their hidden energies. Believing that freedom and progress are two of life’s important purposes, I endorse the
freedom of the artist wholly. I believe external pressure with overtones of censorship work to the detriment of the artist.

I work in different styles including portrait, landscapes and folk art. My work has been extensively exhibited both in America and India. Currently an associate member of the LAA (Loft Artists Association, Stamford, CT), I am a participant of the UAI (Urban Artists Initiative). I am also a life member at the Bombay Art Society and Artist’s Center in Mumbai, India.

I have received grants from the Connecticut Commission on the Arts (through UAI) and The Melon Arts Foundation.

My work is part of several public and private collections including Life Insurance Company and Marine Hospital, Mumbia India, BMS College of Engineering and Verifone India, Ltd, Bangalore India.

Besides my own work, I exhibit for sale work of various world-renowned artists from India. Subjects of these paintings range from Ancient Hindu Temple sculptures, life, yoga, children, women, education, figures, cultural village scenes, portraits, landscapes, surrealistic and works from the imagination. Crafts include ethnic Indian jewelry, mirror handicraft, marble, cold cast, sandalwood, and rosewood statues depicting ancient Moghul and Hindu Temple structures and figures and sweet smelling incense.