FEATURED ARTIST OF VAFH 2020: Specially Abled Artist: Garima Nath

VOSAP is proud to present it’s first SPECIALLY ABLED Artist from the US, GARIMA NATH. She is also the 1st Prize winner of “VOSAP Art from Heart 2020” in the Specially Abled Adult Artist category.

Garima Nath was born in Mount Abu, Rajasthan, India. At the age of 16, Garima met with a car accident and her legs had to be amputated.

 

However, this did not prevent her from what she wanted to achieve in her life. She completed her Undergraduate degree and moved to Delhi. There she gave her civil services exam and completed her PhD in International Studies. Garima’s specialization includes the Diaspora of Russia and the Baltic states. Despite losing her limbs, she challenged herself and has gifted herself with good education. Marriage brought Garima to the United States. She lives in Illinois with her husband, Vishva Shrivastava.

 

Garima was interested in art since she was 4 years old. Without any formal training or without taking any classes in art, she is not just an artist but a first prize winner. She feels that Art transports her into a different world. Just like some people write their thoughts and feelings on a diary, for Garima, canvas is her diary.

 

When asked about how her life changed after the accident, Garima mentioned that everything was a struggle, considering that places were not accessible in India, including educational institutions. At the age of 17, she received her prosthetic leg. Because of her terrific will power, she was determined to achieve success. Most colleges except the govt colleges rejected her. Also, the negative attitude of people in India did not help. She could’nt escape the feeling of being dependent because of people’s attitude and approach. More than help, it felt like pity and it made her feel more dependent, even when it came to reaching a bottle of water. That was the noticeable difference she felt when she moved to the United States. Here, the places were accessible, and people were more sensitive and help was given only when asked.

 

Oil painting was the media through which Garima expressed her feelings of how it feels to be dependent at a very young age. Garima has been painting from a young age and has to her credit, not only paintings that depict her personal emotions, but also many portraits of her family members.

Garima has done over 50 paintings so far. She came to know about VOSAP through a Facebook friend who insisted that she participate in the “VOSAP Art from Heart ” contest, but she wasn’t sure because it was an International Art contest. Specially, because she didn’t have any formal training in art, she wasn’t sure of participating at an international level. All thanks to her husband’s encouragement, that the first prize winner is in front of us today.

 

When asked about her opinion about VOSAP, Garima says she is amazed to see how VOSAP has an app that has not just a database but also pictures of all the accessible places. She is wonder struck by this concept and said ” I thought it is high time that someone made the effort like what VOSAP is doing”. She also expressed her heartfelt gratitude to VOSAP for digging out the “hidden gems” through this art contest during the pandemic.

 

Garima volunteers at a school and teaches art to kids during her free time. She also volunteers at the local library in teaching English to people who come from non-English speaking countries. Now Garima wants to be active volunteer of Voice of SAP and potentially lead Chicago chapter.

 

Congratulations to Garima who won the first prize in the competition and to her husband who has been a great support for her in all her endeavors.