Flowers all the way

Iffat Ara Dewan and her work

Take the instance of Fruits in space. This painting in acrylic depicts a fruit shop with an array of hanging grapes, melons, papayas, apples, pineapples and oranges. With a predominant background of red, with green and yellow, there is a child-like quality to this work. The simplicity of the lines and hues "comes instinctively", says the serene Iffat.

Another eye-catching art work is Lilted light of the deep, in acrylic on canvas. This painting, with bold hues of blue, yellow and green, is bright and attracts attention immediately. Viewers are also likely to be spellbound by the ethereal beauty of moonlight at midnight and the solitary Dolonchampa in a vase.

Iffat says that she draws inspiration through spending time with nature and her garden, in particular. She has taken a hands off approach to her garden and enjoys the sight of the trees and plants which have been allowed to run wild. In such settings, she has seen birds such as woodpeckers and kingfishers. Her creativity is also spurred by seeing the works of great Impressionist masters such as Van Gogh, Monet, Bonnard and Pissaro. Other favourites are Matisse and Modgliani.

Iffat's goal is to carry on painting, though as she says, she sometimes has to slow down because of her singing. Meanwhile, she believes that such exhibitions can prod her to take a disciplined approach to her work. Otherwise, says a laughing Iffat, "I might get lazy." Hard to believe when one sees her prolific work.