image credit: @wassaicprojects
Originally from New Delhi, India, Dass draws inspiration from her environment, where people, places, colors, and nature influence her art. Through intricate pattern-making and the use of symbols, she seeks to bridge her inner anxieties with the outer world, offering viewers a chance to explore their own inner thoughts.
Dass's work delves into the micro and macro systems of nature. The systems that have evolved over centuries are studied and replicated by humans in architecture and other constructs. These works invite a tension between grand structures, such as domes, columns, archways, platforms, etc., and the small, intricate details that build them, such as atoms, shapes, structural patterns, etc. This juxtaposition underscores our sense of smallness within these monumental environments, mirroring the delicate balance between detail and vastness. The spirituality associated with this tension is the focus of Dass’ practice.
Human fragility, whether in our structures or in our understanding of energy, is reflected in the work's delicate, fragile nature. The work is to unite these two opposing forces, not to separate the human race from nature more than we already have. The tendency of humans to think we are separate from the cosmos is what Dass is trying to disprove.
For Dass, pattern-making is more than a method; it is a way of tapping into subconscious thought. The repetitive motion becomes meditative, allowing the mind to wander freely. She creates rhythmic harmony in the work, leaving spaces for each viewer to interpret the piece uniquely. While Dass pursues personal exploration in her art, she equally encourages viewers to experience and connect with her work in their own way, offering them room to find their own meaning and stories within the patterns. This interplay between personal and universal experience is central to her artistic practice.
CV