By Sushmita Nandini*
The art exhibition titled “Shunyata” is an attempt by poet and diplomat Abhay K. to give shape to the concept of emptiness.
In Buddhist philosophy, Shunyata (emptiness) is a concept notably explored by the philosopher Nāgārjuna. This concept asserts that everything is Shunya—empty, not only the form is empty but also the mind, the creator.
In Vedanta, the same symbolizes Purnam (fullness).
Abhay’s artistic expression intuitively mirrors this emptiness on his canvases, with shapes and colours seemingly emerging from nothingness.
The art exhibition offers a visual journey into philosophical contemplation. The inspiration behind the artist’s work is rooted in a common experience that many of us might recall from childhood. Remember those moments during a particularly dull class, whether it was history for some or math for others—when our minds wandered, and we began doodling, unconsciously creating abstract shapes and patterns?
As Abhay himself shares, when he first faced the blank canvas, he had no idea what he was going to create. He began by drawing a circle, filling it with colour, and gradually, it started to take shape. For him, this instinct to create forms on an empty canvas emerged in a more profound and meditative way.
The form of a circle, often repeated in his work, encapsulates this idea, a circle is whole—a complete entity where the beginning and end collapse into one, making it complete (Purnam). This philosophical interplay between emptiness and fullness is a key which I can read in Abhay’s work.
As you engage with his paintings, the bold, abstract figures behind the vibrant colours hint at a deeper, infinite universe. The circle simultaneously represents both fullness and the infinite. Abhay’s paintings evoke a reflection on consciousness and awareness—how we perceive the world and express our internal experiences. Art, in this sense, becomes a vehicle for transcending language, a medium for communicating what lies beyond words.
Also read:
- Bihar Museum to host ‘Shunyata’ by local boy Abhay
- ‘Shunyata’ in New Delhi
- When forms disappear: Painting emptiness on canvas
In essence, Abhay K.’s work is a representation of the space between emptiness and fullness—a journey from the empty canvas (Shunyata) to the fullness of colour and form (Purnam), drawing viewers into a contemplative interaction with both the artist’s consciousness and their own.
*Sushmita Nandini holds an M.Phil. in History from the University of Hyderabad, where her research focused on the study of stone sculptures and bronze hoard of Kurkihar, a Buddhist monastic site in Bihar. She completed her Master’s in Ancient History from Jawaharlal Nehru University. Currently, she is working with India’s leading art company, DAG.
