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"I always thought my works were personal stories. They reflect my thinking, my personality, my joys and my sorrows. But when I sit to describe them I know it is not personal, these are the stories of love and fears, dreams and anticipations of us all, the whole humanity. I feel blessed as an artist that I can weave these stories into colors and lines in a way that many cannot. But we can share. I hope your stories reflect in my paintings and they may touch you somewhere in your heart. And we shall be united in the bond of love and humanity, the eternal bond. After that, no differences are left."
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Salma Arastu was born in Rajasthan, India. She has been painting for more than thirty years, since earning her degree in Fine Arts from Maharaja Sayajirao University in Baroda, India in 1974. Her work with continuous and lyrical line is influenced by her native culture and her residence after marriage in Iran and Kuwait before coming to the US in 1987. Born into the Sindhi and Hindu tradition in her native India, she later embraced Islam through her marriage. At birth, Ms. Arastu was given the life-defining challenge of a left hand without fingers. Seeing the unity of an all-encompassing God, she was able to transcend barriers often set forth in the traditions of religion, culture and the cultural perceptions of handicaps. Her personal triumphs have been defined and shaped by the simple principle of faith in The Divine, the compelling force which has guided her life and work. As a woman, a Hindu, a Muslim and a multi-cultural artist and a mother, she sees a unique opportunity to create harmony and world transformation through the expression of the Universal in her art. Arastu has exhibited her work in India, the USA and Europe. Many of her works are in private and public collections. In addition to her prolific painting, Ms. Arastu has also written several published works of free verse poetry and short stories in her native Hindi. Her collection of poems “Dard Ki Seedhiyan” (Steps of Pain) in Hindi language was published in 1981 with a grant from Andhra Pradesh Sahitya Kala Academy, Hyderabad, India. In December 2008, her new book of art and poems, “The Lyrical Line” was published by Half Full Press as part of their series of Emerging American Artists program. The book contains more than 100 images of her works from last 10 years. Referencing her book Salma says: “My paintings celebrate life. In this art book I have tried to trace with lines and color a trajectory of the human emotions that all of us feel no matter where we are from and what our individual situations are”.
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EDUCATION: B.F.A. Jawaharlal University, Hyderbad, India Fellowship at MS Univeristy, Baroda, India Associates Degree, Northhampton Community College, Bethlehem, PA
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Second Prize in Works on Paper, Appearances & West Village Coalition's Juried Show on American Crafts & Works on Paper, Soho, NY Second Place in Painting, West Park Civic Association, Allentown, PA Best Painting Award from Northhampton Community College, Bethlehem, PA First Place Award in Painting, AP Lalit Kala Academy, India First Place Award in Painting, Bhartiya Kala Parishad, India
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SELECTED SOLO EXHIBITIONS • 2008 February: Hot Mango Pickle Gallery, Palo Alto, CA • 2007 October: Monsoon Galleries, Bethlehem, PA • 2007 April: Chandler Fine Art Gallery, San Francisco, CA • 2006 September: ArtJaz Gallery, Philadelphia, PA • 2005 September: Monsoon Galleries, Bethlehem, PA • 2005 September: The Hope Horn Gallery Scranton University, Scranton PA • 2005 April: Penn State University Gallery, Berks Campus, Reading PA • 2005 February: Radford University Art Museum, Radford University, Radford, VA • 2004 May: The Art Alliance, Cornwell, Upstate New York • 2004 April: Gelabert Studios Gallery, New York, NY • 2003 April: ArtJaz Gallery, Philadelphia, PA • 2003 April: Black Cultural Center, Lafayette College, Easton, PA SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS • 2006-2007 Four Traveling exhibitions by Minority Arts Council, PA • 2006 Nov 28-Dec.15 "Eyes on Me" Portraits of Muslim Women, Gruss Center of Visual Arts The Lawrenceville School, New Jersey • 2006 December: "In a State of Emergency" Alwan for the Arts, New York • 2005 Lehigh University Museum Galleries, Spring Show • 2005 Art of the State, Museum of Harrisburg, Harrisburg, PA • 2004 May: State College gallery, State College, PA • 2004 Art of the State, Museum of Harrisburg, Harrisburg, PA • 2003: Jan 27 - Feb 22nd, “ Muslim Women Artists” Ramona Gallery, NY, NY • 2003 Feb- April “ Muslim Women Artist” Anne Fisher Gallery, Washington • 2003 Art of the State Museum of Harrisburg, Harrisburg, PA • 2003 July: Berks Art Alliance, Reading Museum, Reading, PA
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