Published on February 20, 2025

Priti Samyukta

Priti Samyukta, Self-portrait denim, hand stitching, various dimensions, 2024, Courtesy of the artist

Priti Samyukta’s self-depictions redefine femininity. Her works are autobiographical, lyrical and cling to the traditional roots, since the imagery, in the words of the artist "is derived from her household things such as old pillow covers."

Her nostalgic opus, inspired by the oriental zest, against a multi-layered background, sings the lullaby of the past and the celebration of the present as she affirms, "journey is more important than the destination."

Priti Samyukta is the Head of the Painting Faculty at Jawaharlal Nehru Architecture and Fine Arts University, Priti indoctrinates the importance of hard work and perseverance to become a successful artist and stands as an example. One of the only few prominent women artists of Telangana, Priti consciously renders her muffled spaces with flora and fauna as she believes that women are always strongly associated with design and decoration. Hence the self-portraits show dissimilar attires with fashionable hair dresses and with meticulously painted floral designs all over the canvas. Her works emerge as chronicles of her life, family, and neighboring world, echoing intransigent social norms and the multifaceted roles of women. In an unfussy engagement with her work, one can see a kind of disinterestedness in exercising profligacy of imagery other than the crawly, creepy floral motifs as apparent in her small-scale work, mostly done in ink using masses of lines and cross hatchings. By doing so, Priti gives the utmost attention to the expressions of the portraits which evoke a sort of narcissism occupying the entire surface. Narcissism, however, is a necessity while dealing with men around her in various contexts on and off the campus.