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Sharmila Kapur Wins People’s Choice Award in 'Flora and Fauna' Exhibit at Falls Church Arts

Sharmila Kapur Wins People’s Choice Award in 'Flora and Fauna' Exhibit at Falls Church Arts
People's Choice awardee, painter Sharmila Kapur. Kapur submitted this photo to Falls Church Arts to accompany her painting, “Indoor Life,” in the "Flora and Fauna: Thriving or Threatened" exhibit. Courtesy Sharmila Kapur, via FCA.

Artist Sharmila Kapur won the People’s Choice Award for her oil painting, “Indoor Life” at the “Flora and Fauna: Thriving or Threatened” exhibit, on view at Falls Church Arts, 700-B West Broad St., through June 9.

The all-media exhibit called on artists to submit works that "celebrate the beauty and diversity of the natural world or explore the challenges it faces."

Falls Church Arts, 700-B West Broad St. Photo by Chris Jones.

In her artist’s statement, Kapur discusses her creative influences. “I am inspired by the intimate relationship between humans and nature. Given the threat of climate change and unsettling world events, my recent paintings have focused on the life of indoor plants as a source of tranquility. These paintings serve as a reminder of our dependency and interconnectedness with the green world around us.”

“Indoor Life,” by Sharmila Kapur, from the “Flora and Fauna: Thriving or Threatened” exhibit at Falls Church Arts, through June 9.

For the winning artwork, Kapur submitted an evocative oil painting upon a 12 x 12-inch panel, using strong and vibrant greens and blues, a somewhat impressionistic brushstroke, and intense light reflection moments to capture the tranquillity and liveliness of a simple green indoor plant, in a tactilely rich blue ceramic pot, placed upon a shelf with a muted, angular background highlighting the sensuous curves of the subject.

Kapur is an authorized copyist at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C. and holds a Master of Arts degree from Columbia University in the City of New York. She also completed the Master Artist Program at The Compass Atelier in Maryland and currently paints from her studio in Washington, D.C.

On her website, Kapur discusses her works: "Sharmila’s art incorporates both representation and abstraction. In her floral paintings, she conveys the vibrancy and beauty of flowers, her portraits and figurative works are an exploration of identity, emotions and the stories that reside within each person. When painting places, Sharmila strives to convey the spirit and atmosphere of each location. Her abstract works bridge these realms and are a personal interpretation and emotional response using various mediums, such as cold wax, oil paints or acrylics. Through her diverse body of work, Sharmila aims to create a visual dialogue that celebrates the beauty, complexity and interconnectedness of the world we inhabit."

Her body of works can be explored on Instagram at: @sharmilakapurart.

On Instagram, Kapur describes this self portrait painting: "Close up of a self portrait. I find it relaxing to paint portraits. The aim is not always to get the likeness but the “feel” of the person. There is something mysterious in every face, something waiting to be discovered. This makes portrait painting a challenge and an adventure." Instagram photo/caption.

“Flora and Fauna: Thriving or Threatened” will be on display through June 9 at Falls Church Arts gallery, 750-B. West Broad Street, Falls Church, Virginia.

The gallery is open from Tuesday-Friday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday-Sunday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Artworks can be viewed online at www.fallschurcharts.org. All pieces can be purchased at the gallery or on the website. 

Admission is free. Masks are optional and guests are asked to postpone their visit if they are not well.

The Juror’s Choice and People’s Choice Awards are made possible by a donation from Falls Church Foot and Ankle Center, 104-A East Broad Street, Falls Church, Virginia, 22046.

For media inquiries contact: Susan B. Hillson, 703-395-0909; sbhfca@gmail.com. 

Facebook: www.facebook.com/fallschurcharts

Instagram: @fallschurcharts

TikTok: @fallschurcharts


By Christopher Jones