“There are always images in my head. I am so full of ideas for my art, I just need the time”, says Krina Patel with a wry smile at the Starbucks coffee house at Davis Square in Cambridge where her show ‘Skeins of Memory’ is displayed along with the work of Laurinda Bedenfield another Cambridge artist. But found time she did when she took a year off after her Masters degree from the Harvard University School of Education. The paintings which number six each of the two artists have an underlying thread. ‘Indias of my mind’ is Krina’s memory of the colors, sights and rich tapestry of India while Laurinda’s is purely autobiographical and deals with the nostalgia of home.

Theirs is an unusual collaboration of sorts. The two met at a group show at Vancouver while Laurinda was making computer cards for the show and Krina offered to help. The two just clicked . “When two artists work together, there has to be respect and trust. We are very different from each other. Laurinda is the practical one while I am the dreamer . Yet we liked each other’s work. The Color and Subject matter were almost similar. We are indeed amazed at the creative process. So we decided to work together and put up this art exhibition. Starbucks were very supportive of the idea and we are happy that it is now accessible to the public.”

Krina Patel’s shapes and colors in her paintings are influenced by India. The themes range from her reminder her of the Hindi films in the US, and images of seeing the world through a sari. Bright and striking colors in Orange and Blue and green are used . Krina’s repertoire expands to films and animation. She has made a series of documentary films on the same subject of memories. She has also dabbled in experimental animation where she tried to combine the Indian American experience “As much as we are Indian we are also American” says Krina” and that was the whole point of the show. There is a quantity of thread or continuity that has tied us all together.

” We also want to make art accessible to the public” echo the two. In fact, all their art works have been sold ,most of them on the opening days. Laurinda is thrilled that one of her paintings has been bought by a expectant mother who wants to decorate it in her baby’s room while Krina admitting she was not all that keen in selling her art ( because there are so few) she says smilingly, is nevertheless excited.

Before moving to Boston, Krina had lived in New York for more than 10 years. She has taught at a school in Manhattan, worked with sculpture for blind kids, involved herself in puppet making and now has a Master’s degree in Education and Technology. Long time friends from New York came down just to be there for her show and show their support.” I love New York but my art has come along very well in Cambridge here”, says Krina

The two now have now begun a new digital print series where they will trade each other’s prints and work with the other. This will be a limited edition series. In the meanwhile , the memories series pulsate off the wall at the corner of Starbucks with brilliant colors and abstract focus.

What better way to enjoy Art than over a cup of Cafe Latte and Cappuccino !

Skeins of Memory : An Art Exhibition
Location: Starbucks in Davis Square, Somerville, MA
From June through 1st August 2002

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