The work of artist Sarah Anuradha Mohammed has a propensity towards spiritualism and the abstract in an effort to find her own truth and to help others to find theirs.

“Sometimes the ideas would come freely from my imagination and I do a lot of spiritual symbolism. I don’t want to come off as pushing one type of religion. I am based on trying to find the truth with oneself,” Mohammed, 22, shared with WMN.

The most frequently used symbols include circles, triangles, yin and yang, peacocks and other symbols that have deeper and double meanings.

“My art is based on self-expression where I communicate my ideas and feelings on various topics to hopefully help bring a change to the world. My philosophy towards art is about the deeper meaning behind each piece and that art is not solely about monetary gain.”

She said people have tried to encourage her to do landscapes and other types of work but, for now, she is attracted to abstract work where people can interpret the messages in any way they wish within the confines of a particular theme. Some of her areas of interest include myths, legends, conspiracy theories, wildlife conservation, and the environment.

“I’m the kind of person who, if I hear about the Bermuda Triangle, I would do extensive research on those things trying to figure out if they could be possible. Through that I would get a lot of ideas for paintings.”

She said her late father, Boodram Mungal, was her main influence when it comes to research and knowledge.

[caption id="attachment_931541" align="alignnone" width="699"] Sarah Mohammed says her parents and daughter inspires her work as an artist. - Photo by Angelo Marcelle[/caption]

“I would follow him when he went outside to look at the stars. We would have conversations about what’s out there, and have deep, philosophical talks. It used to be really good and he would open up my mind to other things. If it wasn’t for that, I wouldn’t be where I am today.”

Her main artistic influence is her mother, Ann Judy Joseph-Mungal, who was an art teacher and has been an artist for over 30 years.

Mohammed told WMN she grew up seeing her mother’s paintings and the process fascinated her.

As a young child she tried to copy her mother who would let her paint on paper towel rolls using drip or powdered paint for fun. Despite that fascination and joy, she only started taking art seriously at Couva East Secondary School when she had it as a subject.

Around that same time, a family member did a mehndi design on her hand with henna and she loved it. Her mother suggested she try it so she started doing it herself.

“At one point my art teacher asked why I don’t try those same designs on paper. And that is where it really started for me.”

Initially she used pen and ink on paper but she found the material quality unsatisfactory. So, she tried it on canvas using acrylic markers creating mandalas and zentangles on a daub and splatter background.

Then, in 2017, Mungal passed away. After that, she did one pen and ink piece with the mehndi design and st