Kaushalia Khanna

Painting (MA)
Close-up portrait of artist Kaushalia Khanna with long, wavy brown hair, wearing a colourful shirt.
A detailed view of the work ' Chalk rising ', an abstract artwork created with chalk and graphite on a layered surface. It depicts what appears to be a forgotten island chain surfacing after a storm. Ridges of graphite and chalk rise and fall, outlining a quiet geography that evokes themes of accident and memory, showcasing intricate textures and subtle variations in color and depth.
A detailed view of the work ' Chalk rising ', an abstract artwork created with chalk and graphite on a layered surface. It depicts what appears to be a forgotten island chain surfacing after a storm. Ridges of graphite and chalk rise and fall, outlining a quiet geography that evokes themes of accident and memory, showcasing intricate textures and subtle variations in color and depth.
Chalk rising [detail], 2025
An abstract painting divided into two panels, featuring a predominantly gray and white background with subtle chalky textures. The left panel displays soft, wavy lines in light blue and faint hints of pink, suggesting movement. The right panel contrasts with darker elements, including a large, black shape partially outlined in red and fuchsia pink, creating a sense of depth. The artwork combines simplicity with complexity, evoking a serene yet dynamic atmosphere. Chalk and graphite on a layered surface depict a forgotten island chain surfacing after a storm, with ridges of graphite and chalk outlining a quiet geography of accident and memory.
An abstract painting divided into two panels, featuring a predominantly gray and white background with subtle chalky textures. The left panel displays soft, wavy lines in light blue and faint hints of pink, suggesting movement. The right panel contrasts with darker elements, including a large, black shape partially outlined in red and fuchsia pink, creating a sense of depth. The artwork combines simplicity with complexity, evoking a serene yet dynamic atmosphere. Chalk and graphite on a layered surface depict a forgotten island chain surfacing after a storm, with ridges of graphite and chalk outlining a quiet geography of accident and memory.
Chalk rising, 2025 | Diptych | Acrylic, graphite and chalk on canvas | 2 X 90 X 150 cm 
An abstract painting divided into two panels, featuring a vibrant blue layered background. In the center, a figure in black flippers is depicted diving while simultaneously being erased by a wave of white paint. The upper portion includes horizontal red lines, and the lower section features streaks of yellow and light blue, suggesting movement and fluidity. The artwork conveys a sense of energy and dynamism through its bold colors and forms.
An abstract painting divided into two panels, featuring a vibrant blue layered background. In the center, a figure in black flippers is depicted diving while simultaneously being erased by a wave of white paint. The upper portion includes horizontal red lines, and the lower section features streaks of yellow and light blue, suggesting movement and fluidity. The artwork conveys a sense of energy and dynamism through its bold colors and forms.
Undercurrent, 2024 | Diptych | Acrylic on canvas | 2 X 90 X 180 cm 
A collage featuring a textured background with abstract patterns. Prominent elements include elements of an 18th-century map of London and bare, white branches of trees overlaid on a colourful grid-like pattern with shades of blue, yellow, and brown. The image combines various textures and colours, creating a surreal and layered effect that blends natural elements with geometric shapes.
A collage featuring a textured background with abstract patterns. Prominent elements include elements of an 18th-century map of London and bare, white branches of trees overlaid on a colourful grid-like pattern with shades of blue, yellow, and brown. The image combines various textures and colours, creating a surreal and layered effect that blends natural elements with geometric shapes.
Recovery, 2024 | Mixed media collage and acrylic on paper | 75 x 90 cm
A detailed view of the work ' Chalk rising ', an abstract artwork created with chalk and graphite on a layered surface. It depicts what appears to be a forgotten island chain surfacing after a storm. Ridges of graphite and chalk rise and fall, outlining a quiet geography that evokes themes of accident and memory, showcasing intricate textures and subtle variations in color and depth.
An abstract painting divided into two panels, featuring a predominantly gray and white background with subtle chalky textures. The left panel displays soft, wavy lines in light blue and faint hints of pink, suggesting movement. The right panel contrasts with darker elements, including a large, black shape partially outlined in red and fuchsia pink, creating a sense of depth. The artwork combines simplicity with complexity, evoking a serene yet dynamic atmosphere. Chalk and graphite on a layered surface depict a forgotten island chain surfacing after a storm, with ridges of graphite and chalk outlining a quiet geography of accident and memory.
An abstract painting divided into two panels, featuring a vibrant blue layered background. In the center, a figure in black flippers is depicted diving while simultaneously being erased by a wave of white paint. The upper portion includes horizontal red lines, and the lower section features streaks of yellow and light blue, suggesting movement and fluidity. The artwork conveys a sense of energy and dynamism through its bold colors and forms.
A collage featuring a textured background with abstract patterns. Prominent elements include elements of an 18th-century map of London and bare, white branches of trees overlaid on a colourful grid-like pattern with shades of blue, yellow, and brown. The image combines various textures and colours, creating a surreal and layered effect that blends natural elements with geometric shapes.

About

Kaushalia Khanna, born in Metz, France, now lives and works in London.

With a background that combines French, Indian and Greek cultures, she initially pursued a career in architecture before returning to her true passion for abstract painting.

Her recent work draws inspiration from the past, incorporating elements such as 18th-century maps, topography, mapping and imaging. Khanna’s art creates an imaginary space where residues and images overlap, resulting in a visual language that blends non-linear and spatial qualities.

This approach allows her work to go beyond traditional forms, presenting a world where signs become detached from their conventional meaning, engaging with the ambiguity and complexity of interpretation.

In her diptych “Chalk Rising,” she uses chalk and graphite on a layered surface to depict what appears to be a forgotten island chain surfacing after a storm. Ridges of graphite and chalk rise and fall, outlining a quiet geography of accident and memory.

Her process often includes a contemplative and research period during which she explores the nuanced grey areas between the literal and the abstract. This exploration addresses themes of land, origins, dislocation, and that of steering the negotiation of in between spaces of colour, materiality and ideas in painting.

Recurring elements in her work such as strata, erasure, layering and architectural presence serve as a means of interpreting the world around us while acknowledging the imprint of the past.

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