Sheetal Durve’s Global Artistic Ascent
Sheetal Durve, an artist, author, and illustrator known online as @artofsheetal, has swiftly emerged as a powerful voice in contemporary art. Born in Pune, India, and now based in Dubai. Sheetal’s art is a powerful response to both the beauty of nature and the complexities of the modern world. Working across watercolour, acrylic, oil, and mixed media, she channels soul-stirring emotion into every canvas. Her pieces often reflect the vivid rhythms, colours, and organic patterns found in nature—but they also carry the weight of contemporary issues. Political unrest, humanitarian struggles, and social transformation find quiet yet potent expression in her work. It’s this tension—between awe and urgency, stillness and storm—that gives Sheetal’s art its striking presence. Each piece invites the viewer not only to witness, but to feel.
Earth and Ether: A Prayer in Paint
In May 2025, Durve reached a major artistic milestone: her latest work, Earth and Ether, was showcased at the prestigious Cannes Biennale, which runs alongside the renowned Cannes Film Festival. The Biennale’s platform is highly coveted, making Durve’s inclusion a tremendous achievement and testament to her growing international recognition.
Painted on raw burlap—a deliberate choice to emphasize texture and connection to the natural world—the piece bridges the tactile weight of Earth with the ethereal lightness of the cosmic realm. Drawing inspiration from tantric murals and the dynamic force of Shakti, Durve’s work visualizes a sacred duality: “the grounded weight of Earth meeting the expansive breath of Ether.”
The symbolic interplay of earthbound texture and flowing, sacred patterns invites viewers into a meditative space, where the physical meets the spiritual in quiet balance. With Earth and Ether, Sheetal offers not just an image, but a visual prayer—for peace, unity, and oneness in a turbulent world.
Cannes Biennale: A Resonant Stage for Healing Art
Being featured at the Cannes Biennale positioned Durve’s work at the intersection of global artistry and cultural diplomacy. The Biennale celebrated cinematic brilliance and visual innovation—making Sheetal’s piece a timely and resonant voice in a world craving connectivity and healing.
For a Dubai‑based artist of Indian origin, this recognition holds both personal and professional significance. It’s a powerful symbol of how her multicultural identity—rooted in Pune’s heritage and enriched by living in the UAE—has found expression on a global canvas.
Winning Works: Sage and Misty Horizon
Durve’s momentum continues. In May and June 2025, two of her other paintings, Sage and Misty Horizon, were named winners in an international art competition. These works are now traveling exhibitions, showcasing in three major cultural capitals:
New York, USA—May 31 to June 28
Budapest, Hungary—May 31 to June 28
Vienna, Austria—May 31 to June 28
Their selection affirms Durve’s growing international acclaim and the universal resonance of her themes—nature, serenity, and introspection.
Artistic Journey from Pune to Dubai
Sheetal’s artistic path began in Pune, where exposure to galleries, music, and live performances in her youth ignited her creative spirit . That early immersion shaped her visual language, one that merges vivid imagination with emotional depth.
Today, based in Dubai, Sheetal draws on the region’s eclectic energy. The city’s blend of traditions and modernity, east and west, feeds into her evolving repertoire, which includes figurative painting, abstract expressionism, and conceptual art pieces. Works like Prayer for Peace, Reflection, and The Third Eye reflect this diversity .
Healing, Conversation, Connection
Sheetal Durve believes art has the power to heal and unify. On her Instagram @chocoholics_griefsupport— she connects art and emotional support, encouraging reflection and dialogue. Her work isn’t just aesthetic; it’s therapeutic, intended to spark inner conversation and communal empathy.
She sees each piece as both mirror and bridge—reflecting our emotions and linking us to shared humanity. Through subtle interplay of color, form, and spiritual symbolism, she hopes viewers confront their own hopes, fears, and dreams.
As a co- founder of Chocoholics, she has a vision to help all those in grief with art therapy.
Spotlight on Earth and Ether
Earth and Ether stands as a hallmark of her artistic philosophy:
Raw Burlap: The rough surface keeps the work anchored in material reality.
Sacred Patterns: Inspired by tantric imagery, these designs guide viewers beyond the physical, toward serenity and contemplation.
Shakti Influence: Divine feminine energy brings life, movement, and balance into every brushstroke.
Duality Theme: The painting speaks to our human need to be both grounded and uplifted, exploring the tension and harmony between these states.
As Durve says, the work is a “visual meditation” that acknowledges our material existence while nudging us toward the transcendent.
A Life in Art: Lifestyle and Struggle
Sheetal’s journey reflects both privilege and persistence. She’s enjoyed cultural enrichment since childhood, but her path wasn’t without challenges. Adapting to life in Dubai meant finding new ways to express her Indian roots while engaging with the UAE’s diverse art scene.
Long hours in her studio—experimenting with watercolor techniques, burlap textures, refining patterns, researching symbolism—have been balanced with collaborations, exhibitions, and community support initiatives. Her dedication to both craft and cause shows in every canvas.
Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Sheetal Durve
With Cannes Biennale and the triptych of exhibitions behind her, Durve is already planning new projects:
Upcoming exhibitions in the Middle East and India to further unite global audiences through art.
New collections exploring women’s empowerment, environmental themes, and ancient symbolism.
Continued growth of her grief‑support platform, using art therapy to support healing communities.
Durve’s priority remains the same: spark dialogue, heal through creativity, and inspire hope.
Call to Reflect: What Does Peace Mean to You?
Sheetal Durve ends each post with a question to her audience: What does peace mean to you? By inviting participation, she turns passive viewing into meaningful engagement. Her work becomes a shared exploration—as much audience-driven as artist-led.
Why This Achieves Impact
Cannes Biennale Presence: Being featured at Cannes alongside the film festival is a rare honor and essential to highlight.
Deep Themes: By weaving Shakti energy and tantric aesthetics, the work offers layered interpretations and spiritual depth.
Global Footprint: With exhibitions across continents and a UAE‑based Indian background, Sheetal represents art’s boundary‑crossing power.
Healing Intent: Her integration of grief support, community questions, and reflective motifs positions her as a healing artist, not just a creator.
serenity, and introspection.
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