Traditional Art Beautifying Flores Island

Born in Raipur, Chhattisgarh and schooled in Mayo College Girls’ School, Ajmer, Umika received her Bachelor of Fine Art (B.F.A) in Painting from Kala Bhavana, Santiniketan, West Bengal, India. Umika extended her studies in Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh and Thimphu, Bhutan, while mastering the skill of Buddhist art form of Thangka Painting as the only women preserving this endangered art form profesionally. She also participated in workshops at Contemporary Art Studio “VAST” in Bhutan. Umika’s current focus is on redefining Thangka painting to bring traditional art to a modern time setting. Traditional art offers history and carries with itself a narration as to what is engaging within the painting. Umika has used motifs that metaphorically describe true essence is achieved with ones connection to nature.

Umika´s collaboration with Choki involved the community effort of Flores Island to revitalize the weary landscape of the town with natural Thangka elements. The white canvas were people´s homes, commercial buildings, and other local institutions.

Umika brought together the traditional elements of Thangka art, going on from a selection of flowers such as hydrangeas, lotus, and the waves of the Ocean. In a challenging environment, massive scale artwork, and great amounts of motivation, Umika left her inspiration in the heart of the Atlantic.

“Last year, the artist worked in collaboration with the Government of Portugal to create murals on abandoned or neglected properties across Flores Island. She created eight murals over a period of three months, with the help from voluntary members of the local community.“

Hindustan Times

Umika is featured in the Azorean short film “Nature of Insight” where she is sharing her passion for painting in Flores as an international artist.

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