Masks d’Art, a charitable initiative by Art For Concern and Concern India Foundation, presents an online exhibition of fabric masks decorated by 50 members of the arts community.

Masks d’Art, a charitable initiative by Art For Concern and Concern India Foundation, will present an online exhibition of fabric masks decorated by 50 members of the arts community. Alongside Michelle, participating artists include Anjolie Ela Menon, Jayasri Burman, Seema Kohli, Sara Khalafi, JMS Mani, Atin Basak, Jogen Chowdhury, Shyamal Mukherjee, Sudip Roy, and Anand Bekwad. The works will be displayed as part of a 10 day online exhibition where they are available for sale to raise funds for Concern India Foundation’s ongoing relief work which includes providing ventilators, ECG machines, portable X-Ray machines, PPE, N95 masks, and distributing food grains to orphanages, old age homes, daily wage workers and migrant laborers.

Art for Concern was initiated by Concern India Foundation in 1998 to promote Indian art and create a
platform for upcoming artists to showcase their work. It also provides the perfect opportunity to art
connoisseurs to buy works of upcoming artists along with masters of art.

The three masks painted by Michelle Poonawalla feature her signature motif of a butterfly, intended to provide some color and vibrancy into an otherwise difficult time. Masks have been a key visual symbol of our recent times, both representing the difficulties of lockdown and as a symbol of movement or a way out. Speaking about the project Michelle said “I was delighted to be asked to participate in Masks d’Art, to help raise money to support hospitals and health centers. Masks are becoming the new normal and a symbol of our times, as such I wanted to give a little color, not just for the wearer but for everyone who sees them”.

Alongside the masks Michelle has been working on a new series Colours of Life. Painted in a thick impasto style these new abstract works reflect a vision of positivity and vibrancy as we look to the future.  Inspired by nature, the works have been produced during lock down and are influenced by what Michelle has been able to see around her. The Indian Summer, is inspired by the vibrant colors of the Gulmohar trees with their striking orange red flowers.