RAJUL SHAH
HEALING LAYERS OF COLOUR AND LIGHT
ARTIST STATEMENT
Using meditative layers of texture and color, my abstract paintings are a fusion of healing philosophies across the Japanese Art of Kintsugi and the spiritual teachings of the chakras. My art explores reflection and invites introspection across abstract expressions of color and form.
Using color theory techniques, I paint colorfields relative to each chakra. I work across a variety of materials, including acrylic, oil, gouache, paper, and metal leaf. I choose materials based on what inspires me, and often I will use my hands to lay down the first few layers of texture - representing the “grittiness” of life. As I am an intuitive painter, each layer will tell me what the subsequent layer should be until I find the work to represent the evolution of healing. In addition, Kintsugi lines are drawn in metal leaf/paint to denote resilience.
In Japan, the art of kintsugi is used to mend broken pottery with gold splicing and tree sap to evolve the object into a piece of art to be treasured.
There are 7 Chakras (energy centers) in the human body, each one commanding a different aspect of the human psyche. The free flow of energy through these chakras is essential for physical, mental and spiritual well-being as each chakra has its own energy field (aura) of color.
Therefore, my paintings represent the restoration of emotional balance and renewal of chakras, emphasizing the beauty in imperfection and the strength found in repair. “What needs repair does not need to define us. We can heal, regenerate, and evolve into improved versions of ourselves, with renewed strength and purpose”
BIOGRAPHY
Born in Mumbai, India in 1968, Rajul Shah is an abstract artist currently based in Singapore and the United States. Her work centers around concepts of healing and renewal via a fusion of the Japanese Art of Kintsugi and the spiritual teachings of the Chakras.
In her younger years creativity was developed through music (violin and piano) and photography. Shah was also one of an award-winning group of vocal jazz artists. Photography became a hobby in her teenage years, always wanting to capture the “reality” of the world around her as she traveled extensively across the US and to India.
Although she had a passion for creative pursuits, Shah opted for a more “practical” journey in her 20s, 30s and 40s. College and graduate degrees in business brought her to spend 20 years in healthcare marketing where she enjoyed her work as it contributed to health and well being, overall.
When Shah moved to Japan in 2012, she took the opportunity to pursue her creative passions. She evolved her art across several media, including photography, Japanese brush painting, art history and oil painting through studies at the Temple University Tyler School of Art in Tokyo and Mentorships. Through her mentorships Shah fell in love with “painting”.
On a personal note, Shah found the act of painting especially soothing as she has navigated through Depression and Anxiety for many years. Between her own health and the learnings she accumulated during her career in healthcare, “healing” has always been an aspirational pursuit.
Rajul Shah’s work has been exhibited in acclaimed venues such as the 82nd Annual Shinseisaku Exhibition at the National Art Center in Tokyo, the 49th Annual Genyouten Exhibition at the Tokyo Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the 32nd Annual National Japanese Exhibition of Nature at the Ueno No Mori Art Museum. Her work has also been part of international showcases like the 29th Annual International Society of Experimental Artists in Canada, and the Tokyo Tower Art Fair.
Her art is held in various private collections worldwide and has been featured at notable events including the 2018 India Art Festival in Mumbai, the 2019 HartExpo in Barcelona, and the 2019 Tokyo International Art Fair. She will also participate in the Pre-Expo Kyoto in March 2025.
You can view Rajul’s works on Instagram at @rajul_shah_art. If you are interested in any artworks or commission, Rajul can be reached at rajul@rajulshahart.com.
EVERMORE
MIXED MEDIA ON PAPER
23 X 30.5 CM
2025
The Heart Chakra’s aura is green. This painting represents a broken heart healed
KNOWING
MIXED MEDIA ON PAPER
23 X 30.5 cm
2025
The color associated with the 3rd Eye Chakra, Indigo, represents intuition and insight. Fusing the use of this color with the art of Kintsugi shows imperfect life experiences are still a path to wisdom. We can improve our actions after gaining further insight and wisdom as we travel through life.
HARMONY
ACRYLIC ON PAPER
29 X 30.5 CM
2025
Illustrating a fusion between the color energy field of the fourth chakra (heart chakra) and the art of Kintsugi, “Harmony” communicates the strength and confidence to overcome life’s heart breaks. Embracing the wounds, we can evolve into a stronger version of ourselves.
EVOLUTION III
MIXED MEDIA ON PAPER
29 X 30.5 CM
2025
Orange represents the second chakra, Svadisthana. In harmony, this chakra allows us to feel joy, prosperity, pleasure and creativity. When out of balance, we can experience social shyness. “Evolution III” symbolizes the chakra coming back into balance.
TRANSCENDANCE
ACRYLIC ON LINEN
53 X 72.7 CM
2024
“Transcendence” symbolizes the emotion experienced when we accept and are in balance with our life’s journey. The philosophy of resilience is communicated through the Art of Kintsugi applied to this painting. We can embrace our flaws, improve and define our life beautifully.
EXHIBITIONS
2025
Apr: SuperFine Art Fair, NYC
Mar: Kyoto Miyako Expo, Kyoto, Japan
2024
Oct: Introspections in Resilience, Kitano Alley Gallery, Kobe, Japan
Mar: HERStory, Manhattan Arts International, NYC
Mar: “The Healing Power of Color, Healing Power of Art & Artists, NYC
Feb: Arts House, Singapore - Canvas Connections Group Show
Feb: Camelback Gallery Artist Invitational VIII - USA Finalist
Feb: Grey Cube Gallery 2024 Abstract Art Show - USA Finalist
2023
Dec: Circle Foundation for the Arts “Circle Quarterly Art Review” - Artistic Excellence Award
Dec: Voice of Art II Group show, BeOne Gallery - ION Orchard Gallery, Singapore
Dec: Collectible Art Fair SG 2023 - The Art Space by Natalie Wong, Singapore
Nov: Circle Foundation for the Arts Personal Artist Book Contest - Artistic Excellence Award
Nov: “Celebrations” Group Show - German Centre for Industry & Trade, Singapore
Aug: Bronze Award, Artist Invitational VII, Camelback Gallery, USA
Aug: Art Seen Magazine - The Curators’ Salon. Juried Acceptance Available here on Amazon
Aug: Circle Foundation for the Arts Exhibition in Miami - Artistic Excellence Award
Jul: Longlisted Visual Art Open 2023 UK & International Emerging Artist Awards
Jul: Longlisted Visual Artist Association Professional Artist Award 2023
Jun - Sep: Resilience & Renewal Solo Show The German Centre for Industry & Trade - Singapore
Online Solo Exhibition: Teravarna Gallery Rajul Shah - Teravarna Gallery
Featured Artist: Camelback Gallery Rajul Shah Featured Artist
May: German Centre, Singapore solo show: Resilience & Renewal
Apr: Gallery at the Well, Emerald Hill, Singapore
Mar-Apr: Small Works Group Show Maya Gallery, Singapore
Mar: Tokyo Tower Art Fair, Tokyo Japan
2022
Winter 2022: Circle Foundation for the Arts Quarterly Art Magazine - Artistic Excellence Award
Dec: India Art Fair: Bangalore
Nov: Honorable Mention: 6th Annual Skies Art Exhibition, Fusion Gallery
Oct: Finalist ArtExpo New York Contest: Circle Foundation of the Arts
Oct - Nov: Thrive! Exhibiting Breast Cancer Journeys, NMB Discovery Library, Miami, FL
August: Shortlisted Visual Artist Association Professional Artist Award 2022
August: Longlisted Visual Art Open 2022
Jun: Group Show: True Colors, MusnadiWeskamp Galerie, Koln, Germany
Mar: Passionate Excellence (Group Show) - NMB Library, North Miami Beach, FL USA
Feb: Gallery at the Well, Emerald Hill, Singapore
The Spirit of Resilience 2022, Manhattan Arts International Online Gallery, NYC USA
2021
Nov: International Society of Experimental Artists: “Utterly Unfathomable and Powerfully Profound” 3rd Annual Member Only Online Juried Exhibition.
Oct - Dec: Art in Lockdown, Miramar Cultural Center, Miramar, USA
Oct: XIII Florence Bienniale: Florence, Italy
Sep -Oct: Interwoven: An Exhibit of Breast Cancer Art, Broward Art Guild, Miami, USA
Oct-Jan: Gallery at the Well, Emerald Hill, Singapore
May: Circle Foundation for the Arts 6th Quarterly Art Review: Artistic Excellence Award
2021 Visual Arts Association International Show
2021 Spring Online ISEA (International Society of Experimental Artists)
2021 Mellow Art Award, Japan - Special Prize
Feb: Colors of Humanity Gallery - Red 2021 Show
2020
Nov/Dec: Circle Foundation for the Arts Magazine Art IDEAL: Artistic Excellence Award
Oct: 2020 American Art Awards - 5th place Abstract Expressionism
Aug: 29th Annual International Society of Experimental Artists – originally Alberta, Canada now online due to COVID-19
Apr: 3rd Annual Online “COLORS” Art Competition (international juried), Contemporary Art Room Gallery
Artsy Shark Artist Showcase Spring 2020
Spring All Members Online Exhibition International Society of Experimental Artists
Feb: “If Walls Could Speak” IONArt Gallery w Mayinart/ARTPODium, Singapore
2019
Aug: 32nd Annual National Japanese Exhibition of Nature (National – Juried) Ueno No Mori Art Museum, Tokyo - Japan
Jun: Tokyo International Art Fair (Juried) Belle Salle, Roppongi, Tokyo, Japan
May: Hartexpo Barcelona – Art Nou Millenni Gallery
May: 40th Regional Shinseisaku Group Show – Yokohama Civic Center
Jan – Mar: The Healing Power of Art. Online Juried Exhibition. Manhattan Arts International
2018
Nov: 49th Annual Genyou-ten Exhibition (National – Juried) Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, Ueno – Japan - Honorable Mention: Kusukabe Paints
Sep-Oct: 82nd Annual Shinseisaku Exhibition (National -Juried) National Art Gallery, Tokyo – Japan
Aug: Group Show. BMW Gallery. Osaka, Japan
Feb: India Art Festival Solo Nehru Centre, Mumbai, India
2016/ 2017
Oct ‘17: The Fuji Collection Solo Kitano Alley Gallery, Kobe, Japan
Mar ‘17: Blossom Blast Daily Rotating Easel Solo UltraNew Super Gallery, Harajuku, Japan
Oct ‘16: Indian Icons: Peace, Spirit, Joy Co-Exhibitor DesignFesta Gallery, Harajuku, Japan
EDUCATION
Classes at LaSalle College of Art, Singapore
Classes Temple Tyler School of Art, Tokyo
Workshops: Technique, Compositional and Critique
AFFILIATIONS
Arts To Hearts - Women in Arts Network Click here
Healing Power of Art & Artists, New York
Manhattan Arts International, New York
Circle Foundation of the Arts, UK
Vedica Art Studio & Gallery, Mumbai
MEMBERSHIPS
VAA: Visual Artist Association
ISEA: International Society of Experimental Artists
Canvas Connections: Womens’ Art Collective in Singapore
Women’s Art Association of Singapore
PUBLICATIONS
Art Seen Magazine - The Curators Salon, Spring 2025
Art Seen Magazine - The Curators’ Salon. Juried Acceptance Available here on Amazon
SPOTLIGHT Magazine: Issue 32. Healing Winds of Manipura I&II
AATANOU: The Healing Art of Rajul Shah
SPOTLIGHT Magazine: Issue 24, p. 163: Healing Manipura I
ART International Contemporary Magazine January/February 2022
WHITE ENSO. Issue 2 Summer 2021 “A Painter’s Vision of the Art of Kintsugi” - Author: Rajul Shah
Artsy Shark - Feb 2021 “Evolution of an Expat Artist” - Inspiration Article
Passage July/August 2020: Friends of the Museum, Singapore “The Japanese Art of Kintsugi” Author: Rajul Shah
STUDIO VISIT MAGAZINE, 2019: Volume 45 & 46
ONBEAT Magazine Volume 8, 2017 Tokyo, Japan