“Rice, Roots, and the Road to Cultural Exploration” encompasses all my rice based pieces I have created. These pieces are all broken into sub series, but combined, this series depicts the cultural significance of rice in India from farm to table and beyond. I am inspired by the natural colors and textures used in traditional Indian cuisine including varieties of rice, lentils, beans, and more. I started to utilize these materials to honor where they came from through depictions of the farming process. I am a second generation Indian American, my family comes from a farming caste, and my family members in India are still farmers. My parents moved to the midwest in the 1990s and agriculture was a major aspect to the communities there as well. My cultural background paired with my proximity to farming while growing up in the midwest became a point of interest in my artwork. Beyond farming, rice has played a central role in religious ceremonies, weddings, house warmings, decoration, and of course meals throughout my life. The humble origins of these tiny but mighty grains are felt everywhere in the South Asian diaspora. While India has dozens of regional cultures, rice appears as a central theme time and time again, symbolizing prosperity, abundance, fertility, unity, and protection. It ties us together. This series has allowed me to connect with my cultural roots, honor my history, and grow a greater appreciation of all farmers.
Sub series title: “Farm to Table” – My mom encourages me to cook Indian food by mailing me ingredients. Unfortunately I’m not much of a chef so they often remained untouched. Over time I made a number of rice pieces inspired by the colors of the grains. The process was methodical, carefully placing one grain at a time and allowing me to reflect on the medium and its cultural significance. The tedious nature made me think about the origins of the materials and the back breaking work it took to get these grains in my hands. I worked on larger pieces, with my first 24×36 piece taking me >60 hours – time well spent to show gratitude to the farmers. Just like farming, great patience and determination produce beautiful works of art. Though my artwork is far from farming to provide for nourishment, it allowed me to pay homage to those who do.
Medium: 36”x24”
Depiction of a woman harvesting rice in a rice paddy.
Medium: 36”x24”
Depiction of a woman sifting rice in a field.
Medium: 36”x24”
Depiction of a man selling rice and other dried goods.
Medium: 36”x24”
Depiction of a woman cooking rice on a brick stove.
Sub series title: “Rice and Religion” – I am working on a mini series exploring the use of rice in religious ceremonies. Rice is a sacred grain in India and it’s used in so many ways but one that continues to pop up is the use of rice in weddings. Each piece depicts the use of rice and its purpose in some of the most important moments in our lives. From live to love to death and more, these grains are ever present. Tiny but mighty.
Size: 6”x12”
Akshata (typically done in South Indians weddings from what I gather) is uncooked rice mixed with turmeric. It is sometimes used to bless bride and groom during weddings. Also called “Akshata Aprana” or Akshata Varana,” this tradition usually consisted of the couple pouring this mixture over one another’s heads as a symbol of abundance and prosperity.
Size: 8×10
During the Vidaai ceremony, the bride throws rice over her shoulder as a gesture of gratitude to her parents and to seek blessings for her new home and life with her husband. It’s a heartfelt and emotional ceremony that signifies the end of the bride’s life as a daughter and the beginning of her new role as a wife and daughter-in-law.
Size: 8×10
Griha Pravesh is a Hindu housewarming ceremony that marks the first time a family (newly wed couple) enters their new home. A pot of rice is placed at the entrance of a new home and the bride tips it over with her right foot. The ceremony is believed to bring good luck, prosperity, and happiness to the new home and its residents.
Sub series title: “Made with Love” – This series is a love letter to the fuel that sustains us – food. This series started as depictions of any and every kind of Indian food that held a special place in my heart but it has since expanded to the different culinary forms of rice and the vessels/equipment used to make/eat it. As this series expands into tools and vessels, it will act as my form of Ayudha Pooja, which is a holiday centered around honoring and giving rest to tools and instruments we use in our everyday life.
Size: 6”x6”
Depiction of idli and chutney on a banana leaf.
Size: 6”x6”
Depiction of chole chana in a serving dish.
Size: 6”x6”
Depiction of a samosa.
Size: 6”x6”
Depiction of a classic Indian cookie called Parle- G.
Size: 12”x4”
3D depictions of a hand feeding someone rice.
Size: 2.5”x4.5” each
3D bowls made of black rice, farro, and white glutenous rice.
Sub series title: “Afterlife” – This series depicts how different cultures utilize rice in rituals to help the deceased find their way into the afterlife. Even in post life, rice plays a significant role in nourishing souls.
Size: 6”x6”
Pindas are rice balls made of rice flour, barley, sesame seeds, and ghee. Legend has it that would remain in the home for 13 days after death. Families make 13 pindas on the first day and keep them for 13 days. On the last day, a Puja is done to release the soul. After the ceremony, the Pinda are thrown into a river.
Size: 8”x5”’
This practice is a specific ritual in Japanese funeral customs, where a bowl of rice with standing chopsticks is offered to the deceased.
Sub series title: “Thank You – Tiny But Mighty” – This series of pieces are thank you’s to the individuals and small businesses who have supported my artistic journey! I hope to utilize my art to uplift and support those who embark on one of the hardest and most daunting journeys of all – risking it all to chase their dreams of having a small business in the city of Seattle.
Size: 6”x6”
I worked in partnership with Refuge Outdoors, the UnEarthed Project, and Y-WE on a collaborative series of visual art depicting stories from Y-WE interviews with the community. I created the Refuge Outdoor logo as a thank to the Golden Brick Events team!
Size: 9”x9”
Walk for Rice is an event held by ACRS every year to raise money for their food bank. I made their logo for the team to auction off at Walk for Rice 2025.
Size: 8”x5”
Asian Counciling and Referral Services (ACRS) is an incredible local organization providing services to the AANHPI community. I made their logo as a thank you for all they do!
Sized: 6”x6”
Spice Waala is a local Seattle restaurant who has been so generous in providing me used rice bags for my work!
Size: 6”x6”
My friend Shri, known online as “Moon Rice Shri,” has been an incredible inspiration and support of my work. I wanted to make her logo as a gift to her.
Size: 6”x6”
My friend Ash, owner of Ojaswe – a regenerative food business – has been a kind constant in my time in Seattle! I created her businesses logo as a thank you.
Misc works: These pieces below demonstrate my early foray into working with rice and lentils. These pieces were fundamental in exploring color, texture, and movement with these materials. I practiced layering materials on one another to provide depth, shingling materials to give scale and feather like textures. This phase of my journey was unbounded by any theme or story. This phase way joyfully and messy.
Size: 8”x5”
Depiction of a bird make of rice and lentils.
Size: 24”x18”
Depiction of a koi fish swimming through a pod with lily pads.
Size: 12”x12”
This piece was my first foray into working with rice and lentils.
Size: 9”x12”
Depiction of a fried egg made of rice and lentils.
Size: 6”x6”
This piece is a paint pallet transformed into a thali! I made this piece for a show titles “What You Bring to the Table” and this piece was my contribution to a collaborative table setting piece.
Size: 12”x8”
Space Noodle is a clay sculpture of Seattles historic Space Needle depicted as noodles in a classic take out box.