Bani Malhotra, Ph.D., ATR-BC

Researcher, Art Therapist

Bani Malhotra

Gallery

My artistic journey is a deep exploration of mixed media and traditional arts. I enjoy exploring diverse media through collage, encaustic, narrative textiles, and photo embroidery. Using the act of layering as a metaphor, I express and explore lived experiences and ideas through these media.

I am inspired by the phenomenon of qualia- the unique, subjective experiences of perceptual and perceived sensations of being attuned with the qualitative properties of ‘what it is like’ to explore a specific art medium, to fully immerse myself into experiencing it. The piercing of needles in photo embroidery, the rhythmic gathering and mending of fabrics, the intensity of the heat in encaustic, the tactile scraping of wood for carving or the motion of palette knife on canvas, all contribute to my creative process. Each action and material bring forth a distinct sensory experience, enriching my artistic expression.

My work is an attempt in exploring the multifaceted nature of art and life, of existence and life experiences, thoughts and emotions. Through my chosen media, I discover, unravel, and question these complexities.

Embroidery of a lantern using LED and conductive thread on cloth

Lantern, Conductive Thread Embroidery

Photo embroidery on a sky photo using threads

The Sky, 4X6 Photo Embroidery

Photo embroidery on a cherryblossom photo using threads

When trees pause to think flowers bloom, 4X6 Photo Embroidery

Painting using mixed media

When Words Are Not Enough, 16X20 Mixed Media

Encaustic art of clothes drying on a clothesline with abstract backround

My house is where my clothes dry, Encaustic on wooden scrap tile

Black-out poetry art

Sprouting From Rust, an arts based reflection on transitioning and entering the world of research, Black-out Poetry Art

art showing abstact mask with works I can't breathe

I Can’t Breathe, Encaustic on Wooden board

art showing abstract female figurative with a child

Maa, 30"x35" Mixed Media on Canvas Board

Painting using hot wax

Wheeling Is Just Like Flying, 16"x16" Encaustic (hot wax) on Wood

Madhubani art inspired diptych with tree motifs

Indian folk art- Madhubani inspired diptych, 12" X 20" Pen on Paper

art showing a mirror clock with needles pointing to here and now

I Am Not A Fixer, 16"x16" Mixed Media on Mirror

Sculpture of found objects in the form of a blue palace

Palace of Illusions, 16"X20"X18" Found Objects Sculpture

Abstract art on a cube with embedded text

Inspiring art that reaches far beyond, 1"x1", Encaustic on Wooden Cube

Closeup of a mixed media art on time

Closeup of a painting Kaal (time), Mixed Media on Antique Frame

Embroidery photo of a marigold flower

Observation study of a marigold, Embroidery on Silk

art showing male and female figurative drawing

The Voice, Is It Part Of The Body?, A5 Acrylic on Paper

Digital drawing of 2 women looking at the mountains

Postcard 1, Digital Drawing on Self-clicked Photograph

Digital drawing of a girl looking at a seagull

Postcard 2, Digital Drawing on Self-clicked Photograph

Art showing a person with abstract prison background

In Between, 1"x1" Encaustic on Wooden Cube

Observation drawing of Rodin's hands sculpture Cathedral

Rodin’s Cathedral, Pencil on Paper

Embroidery hoop with stitch process

In-process couching stitch

A collage of multicultural photo images

Multicultural Approach Photo-fabric Collage