Inside the Studio

Rashna Hackett plays with colors, pigments and shapes

What are the major themes you pursue in your work?

My work is informed by color, color, and more color. The harmony or disharmony that plays out in color on a canvas is pure joy. The boxes and circles on the canvases are perhaps a way of making ‘Peace’ between colors. I enjoy working with pigments; the whole process of grinding and preparation is exhilarating.  I equally like working with Lokta paper, a paper that is wild-crafted and handmade from Nepal, and adds beautiful texture to the painting. I have no forethought when I start painting, I just know that I am going to play today and the colors are going to play with each other and we are all going to be happy at the end of the day and if we are sad there is always tomorrow.

What was the best advice given to you as an artist?

Play and play some more. Dedicate time to play.

Prefer to work with music or in silence?

There has to be music for me to play. My choice of music is quite eclectic.  The sound of the saxophone in whatever genre has a great effect on my paintings. I enjoy African beats but I also sometimes want to have Ravi Shankar in the background.

If you could only have one piece of art in your life, what would it be?

I would love any of Vasudeo Gaitonde’s paintings.

Who are your favorite writers?

Chinua Achebe and Vassanji amongst others.