Salman Khan: Showcasing The 'Mother' Through Art
Inspired by her selflessness, the artist uses Mother Teresa in his work as a recurring theme. His works are large, stylistically arresting and often leave the viewer thinking.
By Sandeep & Gitanjali Maini Foundation
Salman Khan's art is managed by Ashvin Gidwani, AGP World in collaboration with Being Human - The Salman Khan Foundation & Artiere Gallery.
A self-taught artist who began painting years before he made his mark in Bollywood, Salman Khan now spends much of his time focussing on his art, creating large format works on canvas. He is inspired by Mother Teresa and her humanitarian work, and she is a recurring theme in many of his paintings.
Salman Khan
An artist who choses to express himself through diverse mediums, he often experiments on his canvas, sometimes indulging his creative side by using his hands to paint.
“I like to say it with my films. With the stories that I tell. With the songs that I sing. With the dialogues that I deliver. And sometimes, I like saying it with colour and a blank canvas," Salman Khan.
"I'm struck by how the eyes are all closed or not clearly visible. I would be curious why the painter consistently makes that choice", says Dr. Girija Kaimal, President-Elect of the American Art Therapy Association and Professor of Creative Arts Therapies at Drexel University.
"Peace is not just an absence of conflict. Peace is the humility of two folded hands. The acknowledgment of our humanity. And the purpose of our life," Salman Khan about his painting 'Begging for Peace'.
This story showcases two new works by the artist, each moving and with deep meaning.
Still In Hope Of Compassion (2021-10-01) by Salman KhanSandeep & Gitanjali Maini Foundation
Still In Hope Of Compassion
"There are wars; there is loss; there are pandemics to deal with. But there is also hope. And Mother Teresa tells us no matter what the odds, hope will always win," Salman Khan.
A large work usually implies a desire to say or do a lot and make a big impact. View the magnificence of the work from a distance... the focus of the work however is the tear rolling down Mother Teresa's eye. A subtle, yet powerful detail incorporated by the artist.
Immortal - Selfless in a Selfish World (2020-11) by Salman KhanSandeep & Gitanjali Maini Foundation
Immortal: Selfless In A Selfish World
In this painting, the artist uses a similar technique of depiction. The work, however, has an added dimension - with the Mother being shown holding a newborn infant. The artist has also maintained the obvious European impression of her.
The paintings here have been viewed by Dr. Girija Kaimal, an art therapist and professor, who has responded to Salman's creative thought process with her impressions. The Philadelphia-based expert is an Associate Professor in the PhD Program in Creative Arts Therapies at Drexel University College of Nursing and Health Professions, and Assistant Dean for Special Research Initiatives. She is also President-Elect of the American Art Therapy Association.
Dr. Kaimal expresses her curiosity to understand if these are painting made spontaneously or with a lot of planning. She guesses the artist's work is more spontaneous, with some basic outlines planned. She suggests that the recurrence of the themes could imply an ongoing effort to process and make sense of some lingering unresolved aspects of personal experience or creative process.
Salman Khan intends to showcase more of his works this year on various national and international platforms.
Salman Khan's Art Management: Ashvin Gidwani, AGP World
Photography Credit: Salamat Husain
Special Acknowledgment: Being Human - The Salman Khan Foundation, Artiere Gallery
Expert Interpretation: Dr. Girija Kaimal
Additional Inputs & Curation: Sandeep & Gitanjali Maini Foundation
