NEWS
Domino Series, M.E (Myalgic Encephalitis)
M.E (Myalgic Encephalitis, also known as CFS) is a complex and debilitating illness that affects the immune system, the nervous system and every muscle in the body.
My physical suffering was exacerbated by an emotional pain as Doctors doubted that my illness even existed. My pain was invisible. My body felt like it was covered in bruises but my skin was flawless. After years of suffering I was finally diagnosed with M.E at the age of 21 and then began the slow road to recovery.
The onset of my M.E (Myalgic Encephalomyelitis) felt like a set of dominoes collapsing, as soon as one thing started to go wrong, something else did... uncertainty and exasperation grew as I felt powerless watching the fragile elements of my life tumble, one after the other... the physical and emotional elements that embody life were all affected - one part of the body starts to hurt, then the next and the next... friendships falter, relationships fall apart, I felt alone... the scattered dominoes, like flashes of fractured memories of my former life, lying in pieces all around me. I could feel my body deteriorating, my immune system collapsed like the domino set, leaving me without protection.
I spent 3 months earlier this year feeling extremely unwell with suspected Covid and then months later also diagnosed with Pleurisy. ‘Long Covid’ resonates within every cell of my body, something that I can totally ‘feel’, it almost has a smell... maybe a taste... definitely a fear.
I have to be careful. I don’t want my domino set to fall again.
AWF2020
#AsianWomanFest
#MEAction’s Postcards to Doctors
Artwork Winner 2019
Broken II, Egg Series, M.E, was selected as one of the winning images for the Postcard to Doctors initiative. MEAction launched this initiative in 2019 that allowed the public to help educate local clinicians. People from all over the United States signed up to write to their clinicians asking them to take MEAction’s CME programme. The initiative was an unprecedented success. I am incredibly proud to be a part of this because raising awareness for M.E is so important to me and is a lifelong subject that will be continually evolving throughout my art practice.
For more information on MEAction, the Postcard to Doctor’s initiative and how to help, please visit https://www.meaction.net
Asian Woman Festival
I will be exhibiting at the Asian Woman Festival on Saturday 30th March 2019 at The New Bingley Hall, Birmingham.
“The Asian Woman Festival is the UK's first of its kind event smashing stereotypes and stigma to empower and celebrate Asian Women”.
Vaha Kauna Hai
C-Type Print
20” x 29”
Holloway Art Lending Library
I am delighted to be lending five pieces of art to the Holloway Art Lending Library, including ‘Believe in Me’, C-Type Print.
Believe in Me, C-Type Print
Women’s Work Exhibition
2013 12th September to 31st October
Women's Work Exhibition
Women’s Work Review
Ellen Davis – Walker
11th October 2013
"In projecting a photograph of a wall adorned in peeling layers of posters and fabric with the face of a woman staring strongly out, Bhatia’s work presents itself as a bold challenge to the stereotypes regarding how women are perceived in public places. Yet what is inherently compelling about Grace and Blessing in that the female face situated at the top of the piece is just one of a series of layers; a detail in amongst snippets of exposed brick-wall, fabric and Denegari slogans. Both veiled and at the same time projected, Grace and Blessing celebrates an image of femininity which is as complex and multi-layered as the work itself"
Grace & Blessings, C-Type Print
"By the grace and blessings of her holiness Divine Mother Nirmala Devi. Experience self realisation and peace that surpasseth understanding."
Islington Exhibits
2013 16th July to 31st July Islington Exhibits
Map Gift ShopJunction Road, N19
Islington Exhibits: Natasha Bhatia at Map Gift Shop By Hatty Davidson Tuesday 30 July 2013
Map Gift Shop on Junction road is a treasure trove of objects ranging from the beautiful and intricate to the witty and comical. It caters for every last minute panic; birthday presents, thank you cards, stocking fillers, wedding gifts and more, this little grotto has all you need. However, until recently, the shop did not provide for the art-lovers of the area. This changed when Islington Exhibits approached the small business to provide a venue for two artists, one of whom was artist Natasha Bhatia, and the collaboration couldn't have been more of a success.
Natasha's photographs deal with the themes of identity and the uniting of separate worlds. Being from a mixed heritage (her father is Indian, her mother is from Essex), has given her insights into two very different worlds, both of which she feels a part of. She goes to India every year and her camera always comes with her, 'the streets of India have always been such a magical place to me', she says, 'though my Aunts, who live there, do not see it and do not understand why I want to take a picture of a ripped poster or an overturned bus!' When you see the prints, however, the reason is clear; the images that Natasha captures find elegance and abstract beauty in the disheveled streets. When asked if she feels like a tourist on her annual visits she replies simply, 'only behind the camera, but not in my heart.' This natural affinity with the country is clear and yet through her work she sheds a new light on a country that she feels so at home in.
The photographs have pride of place in the shop's main window and it has been a huge draw for passers by, indeed a number of the works have already sold and there is talk of extending the exhibition for another week. When asked why the collaboration has been such a success Natasha believes it is the uninhibiting feel of the shop;
'People have said they want to buy art but don't know where to go and sometimes galleries can feel intimidating. Map, on the other hand, is familiar and accessible, people are not worried about walking in and asking questions and this makes all the difference.'
Additionally, having sold many of her prints and had wonderful feedback, Natasha says it has also given her confidence in her work. So, the future looks bright for both the artist and the venue. Natasha is looking to develop her work into different mediums and she is currently experimenting with collage using bindis and old English newspapers from as far back as 1904. Thematically she is also delving deeper into the theme of identity by considering taking her work down a more political route. Map Gift Shop's owner, Ian, is also keen to keep this kind of collaboration going as he says it has brought a whole new commercial aspect to his business.
This kind of prosperous cooperation between artists and venues, where long-lasting and prosperous relationships are forged, is exactly what Islington Exhibits is all about and we hope to see many more artists exhibiting at Map in the near future.
Par.al.lax
‘Parallax’ - an Exhibition by Artists of Mixed-Heritage and Mixed-Ethnicity
Mile End Art Pavillion, London www.mixed-other-art.net
Copyright © 2019 Natasha Bhatia