Shailee Challa

I am Shailee Challa a Surrey-based artist, who is Autistic and has Specific Learning Difficulties, Dyspraxia, anxiety and depression. I have been creating art from an early age, from chalk on concrete slabs in the garden to creating large works on canvases. Art continues to be a constant companion to me through many life changes and challenges. Art has helped me in a number of ways, such as lowering my anxiety around fireworks and balloons and following major disruption to my education following COVID. I love being in nature and enjoyed the chilled art sessions with Arts in Mind at the Botanical gardens in Cambridge and creating art with my grandmother, mother and cousins. Art makes me feel calm and happy, and helps me to reduce stress and decompress. I have used different materials including watercolour paints and pencils, acrylic paints, acrylic and oil pastels, ink, pieces of my own writing, old wrapping paper, craft paper, glitter, beads and natural objects in my environment. I take my inspiration mainly from South Asian art works -from mandala designs, to old paintings from ancient India and visiting art galleries and green spaces. I feel closer to my heritage as I look for inspiration within my culture, such as designs on saris and Indian jewellery. I use bright vibrant colours and quotes from poets, such Rumi, to create a narrative of the life of a young South Asian woman. I create unique pieces that evoke happiness and thought, using positive messages that uplift the soul. Drawing from both positive and negative experiences, the pieces reflect both happy and troubling times throughout my life.