ALKA BHRUSHUNDI: TOUCH THE INFINITY

ANALYSIS/ DR VED PRAKASH BHARDWAJ

Alka Bhrushundi

The universe we live in is vast, infinite, and always unfolding. Within this vast and unknowable expanse, human life itself becomes a puzzle—deep, layered, and never fully comprehended. Across civilisations and eras, artists have sought to understand this mystery through intuitive means, experiencing it through figurative representations rather than through a concrete image. Art becomes a bridge between the visible and the invisible, the finite and the infinite. Alka Bhrushundi's art emerges from this very thought: a persistent and meditative effort to understand the infinite.

Her journey began in Pune and has continued for nearly three decades in New Delhi, where her artistic language has continuously evolved. Initially trained in traditional imagery, Bhrushundi's early works displayed a structured engagement with recognisable forms. Then, over time, her exploration deepened. What was concrete became abstract; fixed shapes became suggestions. What began as a search for form gradually transformed into a plunge into the formless abyss. Today, her work is at a place where no form seems complete or stable. Everything seems to be in flux—vibrating, dissolving, re-emerging. This shift toward abstraction is not merely aesthetic but also philosophical, reflecting the understanding that the infinite cannot be confined within fixed boundaries.

For more than two decades, Bhrushundi has been engaged with what can be called the structure of the infinite—its energy, its rhythm, and its hidden logic. Her canvases attempt to reveal what cannot be directly seen: the dynamic relationship between cosmic energy and human consciousness. This relationship is so profound that it cannot be described, yet it can be deeply felt. It is felt not as a story but as a feeling, not as a display but as an echo.

The search for cosmic energy has long preoccupied artists from diverse cultures. In Indian visual traditions, Tantric art provides a powerful example of how geometry, colour, and symbolic abstraction can become vehicles for spiritual understanding. These works don't simply depict the cosmos; they serve as meditative diagrams, revealing the interplay between inner and outer energies. Similarly, Western Modernism embraced abstraction as a way to transcend reality. From Hilma af Klimt's spiritualised abstractions to Mark Rothko's luminous colour fields, artists have repeatedly resorted to non-representational forms to access the sublime and the cosmic. In each case, abstraction becomes a language for the unseen.

Cosmic energy presents a unique challenge for the visual artist. It has no stable form, no fixed appearance. It is fluid, shifting, and constantly changing. Yet, it is this instability that allows infinity to exist. Alka Bhrushundi accepts this challenge and abandons solid forms. Her move toward formlessness represents a conscious decision to prioritise sensation over structure and energy over outline. For her, formlessness is not absence but possibility—a field of potential where the meaning of life and the universe as a whole emerges not from definition but from experiencing it.

Her works reveal a dynamic interplay between cosmic energy and the inner power of the soul. They suggest that life is not controlled solely by visible, physical forces. Beneath the surface, an invisible energy constantly flows—in the form of mental, emotional, and spiritual forces—that shapes human existence. Every human being possesses duality: the physical body and the inner, invisible energy that keeps life moving. Alka Bhrushundi attempts to transform the life-giving power of this unseen energy into visible form through art.

On canvas and paper, colour, texture, and the gestures of colour become tools for exploring the immeasurable. Light brushstrokes often evoke feelings of sensitivity, rhythm, and the tenderness of coexistence. In contrast, bold strokes and dense patches of colour convey strength, determination, and intensity. These different gestures coexist within the same visual field, revealing the simultaneous existence of both tension and harmony in creation. The viewer senses a rhythm within the surfaces of colour—like the beat of music.

Just as we live a new life every moment, and nature constantly changes its colours, Alka's works convey a sense of constant change and dynamism at the compositional level. Layers of paint are deposited upon layers of paint, suggesting depth, but without revealing it. The rhythmic brushstrokes create movement on the surface, allowing the viewer to effortlessly move from one end of the painting to the other. For the viewer, this experience becomes a journey in which they feel constantly energised. The energy constantly flows, pulsates, and transforms across the surface of the painting, creating a magical effect on the viewer. Therefore, Alka's works demand deep and patient observation. When a viewer gazes at her creations for a long time, they feel as if something is constantly unfolding before them. The canvas transforms into a living space, where a vibrant connection between human consciousness and cosmic energy is felt.

The abundance of blue in her work holds special significance. According to the artist, blue is a means of exploring infinity, peace, and the unseen. For her, blue is not just a colour but an infinite experience—a psychological and spiritual state. From the depths of the ocean to the vastness of the sky, from the stillness of water to snow-capped mountains, blue permeates everywhere. It represents peace, belonging, and a constant flow of thoughts that propel the mind toward the infinite.

Alongside blue, shades of orange and red often appear in her works, symbolising energy, vitality, and possibility. Some works depict the vast depths of the ocean, while others suggest the infinite expanse of space. Networks of dynamic lines reflect the emotional complexity of human relationships. Feather-like textures often emerge, symbolising humanity's boundless desires and upward-spirited consciousness.

Ultimately, Alka Bhrushundi's art creates a realm that extends beyond the visible to the experienced. It reminds us that, like the universe, human beings are filled with infinite possibilities—and art is a way to touch that infinity.