Rajul Shah | Kintsugi Chakras

Art Market Curated Feature

Kintsugi Chakras
by Rajul Shah

This series merges the philosophy of Resilience from the Japanese Art of Kintsugi with Chakric Symbolism. We have 7 chakras (energy centers) in the human body located at various points in our Spine.

Each energy center is made up of a bundle of nerves that are responsible for the organs in its specific musculoskeletal region. To maintain optimal physical and mental well-being, it is important for each of these energy centers (chakras) to remain balanced, so that the energy flow in the body remains balanced. Each chakra also has its own auric energy field or auratic color.

Using gold/monochromatic kintsugi lines, geometric shapes, and color-fields, I paint abstract expressions of each chakra’s energy overlaying a principle of resilience from life’s imperfect experiences – a reminder to process adversity in a manner that provides acceptance of the imperfection/scar and use it to build a stronger version of oneself; realizing that there is beauty in the brokenness. Challenges bring us opportunities for personal growth if we can accept imperfection and embrace the lessons learned. As the energy of each chakra governs a different aspect of the human psyche, meditation and reflection can help us reflect and bring our energy into balance.

The Root (first) chakra (located at the base of our spine) houses our Identity, including our heritage, the family we are born into, and things we cannot change about ourselves. This aura color is Red.

The Sacral (second) chakra (located 2 inches below the navel) houses our personhood and the source of our creativity and joy. Who we become as we build upon our identity – our likes/dislikes. For example, I love Thai food, but do not like Malaysian food. – this aura colour is Orange

The Solar Plexus (third) chakra (located 2 inches above the navel) is our warrior chakra. With a yellow aura, it is the source of our personal empowerment. – Aura colour is Yellow

We take this power and connect with the world around us through our Heart (4th) Chakra, which governs our ability to love, empathize, and ask for compassion. – Aura color is Green

We communicate to this world through our Throat (5th) Chakra – the energy center for self-expression – whether it be through our voice, dance, music, sports, writing, etc. – Aura color is Blue.

As we live through all these experiences, we gain insights into the world around us and ourselves – this wisdom rests in our Third eye (6th chakra, located between our eyebrows), where we “see” the light around us. – Aura color is Indigo

This knowledge brings us a sense of contentment, understanding, and peace as we process this energy through our Crown (7th chakra). – Aura color is purple, gold, and white.

Rajul Shah

Rajul Shah (b. 1968, Mumbai, India) is a contemporary artist based between the United States and Singapore, working predominantly with acrylic on various substrates, in addition to other media. Her cross-cultural artistic formation includes mentorships with masters across diverse media, studies at Temple Tokyo Tyler School of Art and La Salle College of the Arts in Singapore, as well as intensive training under Nancy Reyner through The Art of Painting Beyond Technique and The Complete Guide to Acrylic Painting (Santa Fe, USA, 2017–2020). Shah’s artistic practice, marked by technical rigor and conceptual depth, is informed by her global lived experience and her two decades of work in the healthcare industry, which together shape a richly layered visual philosophy attentive to healing, transformation, and energetic balance.

Shah is best known for her geometric abstract expressionism, a distinctive visual language that merges Kintsugi, chakric symbolism, and inquiries into the balance of energy within the human body. Her works are characterized by rectangular and layered earthy tonalities, circular forms evoking the Chakras, and luminous golden angular lines that hold fragmented structures together — metaphors for renewal and the sublimated reconstruction of brokenness. Thick, gradually shifting layers of color and texture create a sculptural two-dimensionality that dematerializes light while amplifying the reflective qualities of gold leaf, echoing the philosophy of Japanese Kintsugi.
Through this methodology, Shah documents emotional and physical resilience as an evolutionary process beyond conscious choice, considering the limits of medical intervention while affirming an inherent energetic phenomenon in the healing process. Her oeuvre synthesizes influences from Rothko, Raza, and Joaquín Sorolla, dissolving the divide between Eastern and Western artistic thought, and reflects her identity shaped by Indian origins, US upbringing, Japanese study, and her dual base in Singapore and the United States — a transitive, global lens that imbues her work with universal resonance.

Rajul Shah has exhibited internationally in notable exhibitions such as The Warrior Empath (Paris, 2025), Parasitó (Mumbai, 2025), La Rupture du Désir (Paris, 2025), Global Open Studio Visit (2025), Hīringu (Solo, Artsy, 2025), Canvas Connections Art Collective (Singapore, 2024), and Introspections in Resilience (Kobe, 2025). She has participated in several art fairs, including the Kyoto Miyako Expo (Kyoto, 2025) and the Florence Biennale (2021). Her works are held in prestigious collections, including The Fuji Collection (Hokkaido, Japan), the Pharmaceutical Heritage Foundation (Pennsylvania, USA), Great New Places (Singapore), and numerous private international collections. Shah has been featured in Harper’s Bazaar Singapore (Jan 2026), Artist’s Magazine – Honorable Mention Abstracts (Jan 2026 – 42nd Annual Art Competition), Art Seen Magazine (2025) and Create Magazine (2025), and has received several accolades, including the Awards with the Visual Arts Association (London) Art 500 (shortlisted – 2025), Visual Art Open (longlisted – 2025) Artist of the Year Award (longlisted – 2024), Finalist recognitions from Camelback Gallery and Grey Cube Gallery (2024), and the Bronze Award at Camelback Gallery (2023).

Her significant ongoing project, Kintsugi Chakras, encapsulates her sustained exploration of restoration, resilience, and the metaphysics of energy, positioning her as a resonant and globally engaged voice in contemporary art.

Rajul Shah is represented by:
Vedica Art Studios & Gallery, Mumbai, India
World Times Gallery/ Miracle JP – Osaka, Japan

Email: rajul@rajulshahart.com
Website: https://www.rajulshahart.com
Instagram: @rajul_shah_art

Rajul Shah

Education/Training

2017 – 2020 The Art of Painting Beyond Technique with Nancy Reyner of Santa Fe, NM, USA
2017 – 2020 The Complete Guide to Acrylic Painting with Nancy Reyner of Santa Fe, NM, USA
2020 – 2020 Classwork: La Salle College of Arts, Singapore
2012 – 2019 Nihonga (Japanese Brush Painting)– Shoko & Suika Ohta (Mentorships), Tokyo, Japan
2012 – 2019 Oil Painting Classes – Carolyn Dong, Master in Oil Painting (Mentorships), Tokyo, Japan
2012 – 2019 Classwork: Tokyo Temple Tyler School of Art, Tokyo

Selected Solo Exhibitions

2025 Hiringu (Artsy Solo – Vedica Art Studios & Gallery)

2024 Introspections in Resilience, GR Kitano Art Hub & Gallery, Kobe, Japan

2023 Resilience & Renewal, The German Center Art Gallery, The German Center for Industry & Trade – Singapore

2018
Spirited Away, Best Living Studios, Tokyo, Japan
The Bucket List, Kitano Alley Gallery, Kobe, Japan

2017
The Fuji Collection, Kitano Alley Gallery, Kobe, Japan
Blossom Blast Daily Rotating Easel Solo, UltraNew Super Gallery, Harajuku, Japan

Selected Group Exhibitions

2026
Canvas Connections Art Collective, “Fragments of Her”, German Center Art Gallery,Singapore

2025
Canvas Connections Art Collective 3rd Annual Signature Show – Artful Expressions, Tembusu Art Gallery, Singapore
Empath as a Warrior, Vedica Art Studios and Gallery, Paris, France
Parasito, P L Deshpande, Maharashtra Kala Academy, Mumbai, India
Le Rupture de Desir, Yellow Cube Gallery, Vedica Art Studios and Gallery, Paris, France

2024
Canvas Connections Art Collective, The German Center Art Gallery, German Center of Industry & Trade, Singapore
Lines Exhibition (Group Show), Hopsfield Art Gallery with The Lucid Umbrella, Singapore
Canvas Connections Art Collective 2nd Annual Signature Show – Artful Expressions, Visual Arts Center, Singapore
Catapult – Art Meets Heart Interior Design, Rochester Commons, Singapore
The Healing Power of Color (Online Show), Manhattan Arts, NYC
Group Show, GR Kitano Art Hub Gallery, Kobe, Japan
HERStory, Manhattan Arts International, NYC
Introducing Canvas Connections, Canvas Connections Art Collective, The Arts House, Singapore

2023
Collectible Art Fair SG 2023 The Art Space by Natalie Wong, Singapore
Celebrations with Canvas Connections- The German Center Art Gallery, Singapore
Elements, The Healing Power of Art & Artists, Manhattan Arts NYC
HMVC Gallery NY Freestyle Group Show work displayed at Times Square, NYC
The Healing Power of Color 2023 Exhibition: The Healing Power of Art & Artists, Manhattan Arts, NYC
Featured Artist: Camelback Gallery Rajul Shah Featured Artist – online
Canvas Connections Art Collective, Gallery at the Well, Emerald Hill, Singapore
Small Works, Maya Gallery, Singapore
HER STORY 2023: Online Gallery, Manhattan Arts NYC, USA
Making Our Marks, ISEA (International Society of Experimental Artists) 9th Annual Member-Only Online Exhibition
Healing Power of Art and Artists: The Healing Power of Art Inspired by Nature 2023. Online Gallery, Manhattan Arts NYC USA

2022
Circle Foundation for the Arts Quarterly Art Magazine – Artistic Excellence Award
Thrive! Exhibiting Breast Cancer Journeys, NMB Discovery Library, Miami, FL
Healing Power of Art and Artist: Resilience 2022. Online Gallery, NYC, USA
Thrivers Breast Cancer Awareness Art Show, Shipyard Garden, Hollywood, FL.
True Colors, MusnadiWeskamp Galerie, Koln, Germany

2022
ALL WOMEN Artist Competition & Exhibition. Contemporary Art Gallery Online
Passionate Excellence- NMB Library, North Miami Beach, FL, USA
Canvas Connections Gallery at the Well, Emerald Hill, Singapore
The Spirit of Resilience 2022, Manhattan Arts International Online Gallery, NYC, USA

2021
Utterly Unfathomable and Powerfully Profound 3rd Annual Member-Only International Society of Experimental Artists: Online Juried Exhibition.
Art in Lockdown, Miramar Cultural Center, Miramar, USA
Interwoven: An Exhibit of Breast Cancer Art, Broward Art Guild, Miami, USA
Co-Exhibitor, Gallery at the Well, Emerald Hill, Singapore
Contemporary Art Gallery Online: All Abstract Art Exhibition
Contemporary Art Gallery Online: All Landscape Art Exhibition
Visual Arts Association International Show – Online
Spring Online ISEA (International Society of Experimental Artists) Colors of Humanity Gallery – Red

2020
HelvetArt November 2020 Red Show
ArtisTTAble 38th Exhibition: 2020 Women’s Show
Fusion Arts 5th Anniversary Art Exhibition Vishudha I: Hear Us Rise
Colors of Humanity Gallery Landscapes
Contemporary Art Room Online Gallery – 2nd Annual Skies Art Exhibition: http://www.artroomgalleryonline.com/current_exhbition.html
3rd Annual Women Artists – 15th Quarterly Art Competition Online Juried Art Exhibition – Fusion Art
A Light in the Darkness, Las Laguna Gallery – Group Show. https://wwwlaslagunagallery.com/light
4th Annual Skies Art Exhibition – https://www.fusionartps.com/4th-annual-art-exhibition-august-2020
29th Annual International Society of Experimental Artists – originally Alberta, Canada, now online due to COVID-19 Finalist:
June 2020 Grey Cube Gallery Skies Exhibition (online juried)
All Planet Earth International Juried Online Exhibition, Contemporary Art Gallery
3rd Annual Online COLORS Art Competition (international juried), Contemporary Art Room Gallery
Artsy Shark Artist Showcase Spring 2020
All Women Artist Competition (international juried Group Show)
Skies Group Exhibition (international juried)
Spring All Members Online Exhibition International Society of Experimental Artists
If Walls Could Speak IONArt Gallery W Mayinart/ARTPODium, Singapore

2019
32nd Annual National Japanese Exhibition of Nature (National – Juried) Ueno No Mori Art Museum, Tokyo, Japan
Group Show – Art No Millenni Gallery, Barcelona
Hartexpo Barcelona – Art Nouveau Millennium Gallery
40th Regional Shinseisaku Group Show – Yokohama Civic Center
The Healing Power of Art. Online Juried Exhibition. Manhattan Arts International

2018
49th Annual Genyou-ten Exhibition (National – Juried) Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, Ueno, Japan –Honorable Mention: Kusukabe Paints
82nd Annual Shinseisaku Exhibition (National -Juried) National Art Gallery, Tokyo, Japan
Our Bond with Nature. Online Juried Exhibition. Healing Power of Art. Manhattan Arts International
Group Show. BMW Gallery. Osaka with Kitano Alley Gallery, Kobe, Japan
HERStory Online Juried Exhibition. Healing Power of Art. Manhattan Arts International

2017 An Artful Christmas Group Intercontinental Hotel, Osaka, with Kitano Alley Gallery, Kobe, Japan

2016 Indian Icons: Peace, Spirit, Joy Co-Exhibitor DesignFesta Gallery, Harajuku, Japan

Art Fairs

2026 NY Art Expo, Rajul Shah Art, NYC, USA
2025 Kyoto Miyako Expo, Miracle JP, Kyoto, Japan
2023 Tokyo Tower Art Fair, Zubaadhi Studio & Gallery, Tokyo, Japan
2021 XIII Florence Biennale, Zubaadhi Studio & Gallery, Florence, Italy
2019 Tokyo International Art Fair, Rajul Shah Art LLC, Tokyo, Japan
2018 India Art Festival, self-representation, Mumbai, India

Selected Collections

Kintsugi Bodies, ORION Pharmaceuticals, US & Finland
Great New Places, Kintsugi Chakras, Sentosa, Singapore
MnK Properties, The Fuji Collection, Hoddaido, Japan
Sunanda Dasgupta Sethi/ Kintsugi Chakras, Singapore
Pharmaceutical Heritage Foundation, Kintsugi Earth & Ice, Pennsylvania, USA

Awards

2026
NY Art Expo – Solo Exhibitor Award
Homiens’ Art Prize: Fall 2025 – Highly Commended
Artist Magazine 42nd Annual Art Competition, Honorable Mention – Abstract/Experimental Category

2025
Longlisted for the Visual Arts Association (VAA) Artist of the Year Award 2025 – London, UK
Longlisted Visual Arts Association (VAA) Visual Art Open 2025 – London, UK
Shortlisted Visual Arts Association (VAA) VAA ART 500 – London, UK
Circle Foundation of the Arts, Master Mind Award, February 2025

2024
Longlisted for the Visual Arts Association (VAA) Artist of the Year Award 2024 – London, UK
Camelback Gallery Artist Invitational VIII – USA Finalist
Grey Cube Gallery 2024 Abstract Art Show – USA Finalist
9th Annual Colorful Abstractions, Fusion Arts, USA

2023
Circle Foundation for the Arts “Circle Quarterly Art Review” – Artistic Excellence Award
Bronze Award, Artist Invitational VII, Camelback Gallery, USA
Circle Foundation for the Arts Exhibition in Miami – Artistic Excellence Award
Longlisted Visual Art Open 2023 UK & International Emerging Artist Awards
Longlisted for the Visual Artist Association Professional Artist Award 2023

2022
Honorable Mention: 6th Annual Skies Art Exhibition, Fusion Gallery
Finalist ArtExpo New York Contest: Circle Foundation of the Arts
Shortlisted Visual Artist Association Professional Artist Award 2022, Visual Artists Association,
London, UK
Longlisted Visual Art Open 2022, Visual Artists Association, London, UK

2021
Circle Foundation for the Arts 6th Quarterly Art Review: Artistic Excellence Award
Mellow Art Award, Japan – Special Prize
LightSpaceTime: “All Women” Art Exhibition – Special Recognition

2020
LightSpaceTime: 11th Annual Abstracts Group Exhibition (international juried) – Special Recognition
LightSpaceTime: 10th Annual “Seascapes” Exhibition 2020 (International Juried) -Special Recognition
Honorable Mention “SPACE” Artist Table 36th Online Exhibition.
American Art Awards – 5th place Abstract Expressionism
LightSpaceTime: 10th Exhibition “Landscapes” – Special Recognition
Circle Foundation for the Arts Magazine Art IDEAL: Artistic Excellence Award

2018
49th Annual Genyou-ten Exhibition (National – Juried) Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum, Ueno – Japan –
Honorable Mention: Kusukabe Paints

Selected Press

Homien’s “Meet the Artists” Published April 2026
Harper’s Bazaar Singapore, Artist Feature, January 2026
Artist Magazine, Jan/Feb 2026, 42nd Annual Art Competition – Abstract/Experimental Category
Create Magazine, AQ Volume VI, June 2025
Franki’s Open Mic: Episode 35 Podcast: The Healing Alchemy of Art Podcast Link to YouTube
Artsy Shark Featured Artist: https://www.artsyshark.com/2025/05/20/featured-artist-rajul-shah/
Art Seen Magazine, The Curators’ Salon Spring 2025
Artist Interview with the Arts to Hearts Project, December 2024: “How Rajul Shah’s Art Combines Kintsugi and the Healing
Energy of Chakras”, Arts to Heart Project, December 2024
“Masterful Minds V.4” in World Wide Art & Circle Foundation for the Arts (2024).
“Lines & Curves” Arts for Hearts Project (2024).
Adelé Kotzé, “Interview” at https://www.artistcloseup.com/blog/interview-rajul-shah, 2024.
Podcast Arts to Hearts Project, “How to Figure Out Your Creative Process: Artists Rajul Shah, Chilu, and Anne van Midden”
In Online resource (2024) at https://artstoheartsproject.com/creative-process/, 2024.
Artist Talk Magazine, Issue 30 in Online resource (2024) at https://www.artisttalkmagazine.com/issue-30-online-gallery,2024.
Arts for Hearts Project, Studio Visit Book Volume 3 (2024)
Purple Octopus Art LLC , “The Cancer Feminine: Art, Inspiration, Truth”, Available here on Amazon, (2024)
Art Seen Magazine – The Curators’ Salon. Juried Acceptance Available here on Amazon
SPOTLIGHT Magazine: Issue 32. Healing Winds of Manipura I&II
AATANOU: The Healing Art of Rajul Shah
SPOTLIGHT Magazine: Issue 24, p. 163: Healing Manipura I
ART International Contemporary Magazine (2022)
Rajul Shah, “A Painter’s Vision of the Art of Kintsugi” in WHITE ENSO. Issue 2 Summer (2021)
Artsy Shark, “Evolution of an Expat Artist” (2021)
Rajul Shah, “The Japanese Art of Kintsugi” in Friends of the Museum, Singapore (2021)
STUDIO VISIT MAGAZINE, Volume 45 & 46 (2019)
ONBEAT Magazine, Volume 8, Tokyo, Japan (2017)

Professional Contributions

Curation Team, Vedica Art Studios & Gallery
Founding Member & Curator, Canvas Connections, A Women’s Art Collective, Singapore
Founder, Purple Octopus Art, an art publishing platform, NJ, USA