Vedanā is a Pali word that denotes the three feeling states that populate each moment of our lives—the pleasant (Sukha vedanā), unpleasant (Dukha vedanā) and neutral sensations (Adukkhamasukha vedanā). Vipeksha Gupta encourages noticing and observing these sensations and letting them pass by, liberating ourselves from the dangerous and powerful pull of fear and desire. The limited use of colour in the work creates a sense of solitude and transcendence, evoking a meditative atmosphere. Inspired by Buddhist philosophy, which speaks to the impermanence of things and the fleeting nature of existence, Vipeksha’s minimalist approach beckons us to engage with the work not just as a reflection of society but as an experience in its own essence. A deeply intuitional work, the artist’s formal choices attest to a meditative absorption—including the palette of greys across the paper surface. 

These ‘tables of epiphany’ create folds and hinges of light around which darkness pivots and ripples, a poignant portrayal of the aesthetics of memories and reminiscence. There are references to key modern art figures hidden. Inspired by Malevich’s Dance of the Black Square, the work finds its place as part of a visual language that goes beyond depictions of physical reality, focussing on geometric forms and artistic emotions. Similarly, drawing from Lucio Fontana’s iconic incisions, Vedana XXI has a spiritual dimension, with the dark colours acting as interruptions on the surface, giving it physical depth. They suggest a boundlessness of space, challenging traditional boundaries of artworks, offering a fresh perspective on how we experience art.