Shakti: Fair and Fierce
National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA)
Seema Kohli
Seema Kohli
The Tree of Life is a recurring motif in Seema Kohli’s practice, symbolizing the interconnectedness of existence and the eternal cycle of creation, sustenance, and transformation. Appearing across paintings, sculptures, etchings, embroidery, and woodcuts, the tree becomes a visual language through which Kohli explores philosophical ideas of karma, maya, birth, and rebirth, drawing inspiration from the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita.
For Kohli, the tree represents the axis that connects the three realms—the world beneath, the earthly plane, and the celestial sphere. Rooted deep within the earth while reaching toward the heavens, it embodies continuity, balance, and spiritual knowledge. Its leaves, branches, and roots carry stories of memory, movement, and the unseen energies that sustain life.
Revered across cultures and faith traditions—from the Peepal and Bodhi in South Asia to the Olive, Date, Oak, and Haoma in other traditions—the Tree of Life stands as a universal symbol of wisdom, regeneration, and harmony. In Kohli’s work, it also resonates with her exploration of Hiranyagarbha, the “Golden Womb,” the primordial source from which life continually emerges and renews itself.
The tree therefore becomes both a philosophical metaphor and a reflection on humanity’s relationship with nature, suggesting a deeper awareness of ecological balance and the continuity of life.
National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA)
National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA)
National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA)
National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA)
National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA)
National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA)
National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA)
Khula Aasman
Khula Aasman
Khula Aasman
Khula Aasman
The Golden Womb Series
Khula Aasman
Khula Aasman
Khula Aasman
Tree of life
Khula Aasman
