Hear from the artist: Salma Arastu - Seeking Oneness, Connecting Humanity, Soil and Soul

Think Round’s current exhibition, available to visit until August 30th, features works from established Bay Area artist Salma Arastu. Richa Sharma caught up with Salma to discuss her body of work and the pieces in this exhibit.

Salma is an artist with a versatile body of work encompassing paintings, sculpture and poetry. She has had 50+ solo shows nationally and internationally and won the East Bay Communities fund for artists in 2012, 2014 and 2020. However, she doesn’t create her work for these accolades, saying “Whatever recognition I have received…is a blessing.”

As a Muslim of Indian heritage she has lived in India, Iran and Kuwait as well as in the USA, so her work brings together all of humanity through her experiences. Although the style and medium of her work has changed over her long career, the link and connection can be seen throughout, championing nature, consciousness, connecting with the universe and creating works from the heart. For example, in her recent works she has been influenced by walks on the bay and connecting with nature, which makes her feel fulfilled and stimulated when she comes back to the studio to create.

 As Salma says herself in the interview: “It’s coming from my heart through my hand on the canvas. So it's always a surprise for me when I see my work finished because I don't plan it before but it just flows through me.”

 Salma has a long-term connection with Think Round, and her mission of oneness aligns with ours. She has even had her family featured in the Paradise Project (you can read more about this on Think Round’s website at LINK Paradise Project Think Round — Think Round, Inc. Home Page )

So we were delighted that she paired with Rachel Leibman for their current exhibition We are Woven Like A Tapestry.

 As inspiration for this exhibit Salma considered how Rachel’s tapestry pieces relate to mycelium in nature, connecting like their own tapestry of magical networks under our feet, reaching out to sustain other trees and plants that need them the most, and connecting through the ages. She sees the kind and giving nature of mycelium as comparable to her own work to bring people together and erase differences.

 By learning from nature and bringing those teachings into our lives Salma embodies Think Round’s mission and we are delighted to be exhibiting these works.

More info:

●      The exhibition runs until August 30th

●      Make an appointment to visit the Fillmore St studio at (415) 602-9599 or info@thinkround.org

●      There will be a special curatorial talk/tour with Salma and Rachel at 11am on 16 August

●      Watch the full video on YouTube: [LINK Interview with Salma Arastu - Earth Hearts Interview Series (youtube.com)]