MEENA CHOPRA        Artist, Author, Educator, Community Developer 
Email: meenachopra17@gmail.



• Visual Art,
• Poetry
• Community work in art.
• Advertising, Marketing & Media communication.
• Artist Educator
• Advertising & Media

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Art Statement/Message:

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My art is my search for the moments beyond the ones of self knowledge. It is the rhythmic fantasy which is so very elusive.
A restless streak which looks for its own fulfillment. A stillness that moves within. An intense search for my origin and ultimate identity.
 

Serene surroundings of my birth place ‘Nainital’ a hill resort in India have been a source of inspiration to me always. Strangely enough the beauty of Canada reminds me of my birth place a lot. Significantly the immenseness of the sky, the

Born in Nainital, India.



• Artist Educator from (RCM) Royal Conservatory of Music, Ontario, 2009
• Diploma in Textile Designing from Delhi, 1977
• Graduated in Science from Isabella Thouberne College (Lucknow University), 1976
• Attended Art and Sculpture classes at Triveni Kala Sangam New Delhi India. 1985
• Attended ‘Art Appreciation’ classes at National Museum of Art New Delhi India 1991

​Work:

• Textile and Fashion Designer for seven years (1977 - 1985)
• Bhumeeka Advertising, Director,  iNew Delhi, India from 1985 – 2004.
• Came to Canada in 2004.
• Director, Administrator & Teacher: Learna Heartland, Education Centre, Mississauga, 2006-2012
• Teaching art to kids and adults, 



 

Medium of Visual Art Works:                                          Medium of Literary Arts          
 Oil on Canvas                                                          Poetry both in English and Hindi(native)
 Oil And Dry Pastels on Paper                          
 Digital Art
 Artworks with poems
 Sculpture
Art Shows:

 1st Delhi Women Artists Show (Sahitya Kala Parishad) – September1986 – Juried Show
 One person show at Triveni Gallery, New Delhi – 19th to 29th Nov.1986 - Juried Show.
 One person show at Gallery Aurobindo, New Delhi -5th to 16th April 1988.
 One person show at Triveni Gallery, New Delhi -27th Feb to 7th March 1992 - Juried Show.
 One person show at Jehangir Art Gallery, Bombay – 8th March to 14th March1993 - Juried Show.
 One person show at The Nehru Centre, London – 26th July to 5th August 1996 (under auspices of Indian Council for Cultural Relations and Indian High Commission in England) - Juried Show.
 Group show ‘Colours of Hope' at Siri Fort, New Delhi - December 1996.
 One person show at Jain Marunouichi Gallery, New Delhi – 18th  January to 29th January 1997.
 Group Show at Art Today, New Delhi - June 1997 - Juried Show.
 Annual All India Art Exhibition (AIFACS), New Delhi – 1998 - Juried Show.
 One person show at Shridharani Gallery, New Delhi – 12 th August to 22nd August 1999 - Juried Show.
 One person show at India Habitat Centre, New Delhi - 23rd & 24th August 1999.
 AIFACS(All India Arts & crafts society) Show, New Delhi – December 2000 - Juried Show.
 AIFACS(All India arts & Crafts Society) Show, New Delhi – December 2001 - Juried Show.
 SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) Artists Group Show at Ajanta Art Gallery, New Delhi –29th December 2002 5th Jan 2003.
 SAARC Artists Art Camp & Group Show at Art Junction, New Delhi-18th to 28th December 2002.
 Group Show at Art Junction, New Delhi – January 2003.
 Group Show at Art Junction New Delhi – October 2003.

Shows after migrating to Canada from 2004.
 Group Show in Canada ‘Beyond Boundaries’- Organized by CROSS CURRENTS Indo Canadian Arts – 18th April to 27th April 2004.
 Group Show in Canada – Design Exchange Toronto, During ‘South Asian Heritage Festival’ – Organized by Jyafest and Shaylee Someshwar- May 2004.
 Group Show in Canada ‘Peace and Harmony’ - Organized by CROSS CURRENTS Indo Canadian Arts - 25th July.
 Group Show in Canada Streetsville Art Gallery March 2005.
 Group Show at Art Junction, New Delhi India ‘Confluence’(Canadian and Indian Artists) - Organized by CROSS CURRENTS Indo Canadian Arts - April 2005.
 Group Show in Canada. Origins.  Assembly Hall Lakeshore Toronto –Sep 28 to Oct 21 2005.
 Group Show in Canada –A.R.T. Holiday Inn Hotel in Brampton on December 7, 2005 organized by Peel Community connection.
 One Person Show in Canada – Residual Dreams. Central Library, Mississauga Canada. 1st Dec to 30th Dec 2005
 Group Show in Canada. Artfully Yours @ Novotel, Hotel organized by Mississauga Arts Council and VAM –Feb to April 30 – Juried Show.
 Group Show in Canada ‘A Tapestry of Cultures’, Bradley Museum, March 1st to June 6 Juried Show.
 Group Show in Canada –A.R.T. Beaux – Arts Brampton Organized by Peel Community Connection. Feb 28 to March 11 2006
 Group Show in Canada - A.R.T. Caledon Town Hall Organized by Peel Community Connection.  March 9 to March 17 2006.
 Group Show in Canada – A.R.T. Four Rinks Community Centre in Mississauga on March 29, 2006
 Group Show ’ Beyond Boundaries’ June 2007

Curatorial Work:
• International Art Exhibition ‘Beyond Boundaries’ – June 2007 Mississauga, Canada.
• Art Exhibition of Canadian Artists to India ‘Confluence’ -  April 2005 New Delhi, India
• International Art Exhibition: “ Beyond Boundaries” 2004, April in Mississauga Canada

Paintings are in the Collection of:                                                                                                                       
Air India, Hilton Intercontinental, Indian High Commission (Malaysia), Indian High Commission (London), Delhi Development Authority, Border Security Force India, Central Reserve Police Force India and with many Private collectors in India, Australia, England, Canada, Sweden, UAE and also with a Princess of Kuwait.
Poetry:
Published Works –
• English
• Translations from English to  German
• Hindi

 

First book of verse titled `IGNITED LINES’
Released in London at The Nehru Centre, July 1996 by Dr L M Singhvi (then High Commissioner in UK). Released in New Delhi, January 1997 by Shri K C Pant, former Defence Minister.

Poems have been translated & published in German by Dr Carla Kraus in `Zenit' (Austria), and `Capriccio' (Germany) both literary journals.

Poems have been published in many National and International Literary Journals and Magazines repeatedly in English and Hindi both. Names of a few are as follows:

• ‘Sun’  New Delhi,
• ‘Sarita’ New Delhi,
• ‘Gagananchal’ the official publication of Indian Council for Cultural Relation, India
• ’Poets International’ Jayanagar, 
• ‘The Journal of Poetry Society of India’,
• Neighborhood Star New Delhi,
• ‘Pioneer’ New Delhi,
• ‘Weekend Observer’ New Delhi,
• ‘Day After’ New Delhi,
• ‘Evening News’ New Delhi.
• ‘Rashtriya Sahara’ New Delhi.
• ‘Delhi Scenario’ New Delhi,
• ‘Poet’ An International Monthly Chennai,
• ‘Continuum’ Poetry Club of India’s Publication. 
And many others.

Poems are also on the Internet at the following sites:
‘Postpoems.com’ http://www.postpoems.com/members/meena,The Electric Café'  http://www.baselink.com, `Spoken War' http://www.spokenwar.com ,  `Poetry Today Online' http://www.poetrytodayonline.com, `Poetry Site' http://www.members.aol.com/poetrysite, `Poetry Café' http:/www.plazma.com, India Ink, http://www.sahityakunj.net/LEKHAK/M/MeenaChopra/MeenaChopra_main.htm

A poem has also been selected to be published in a `Best of’ Anthology of poems collated by Ms E A Lynch, USA.
Have been invited for poetry readings at Triveni Auditorium, Rajasthan Club, Nehru Centre, London, Academy of Fine Arts & Literature, Poetry Society (India), India Habitat Centre, (By Poetry Club of India on many occasions) Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan, Central Library Mississauga, and Indian Consulate Toronto.

My poems have always been on display in my art exhibitions particularly the solo exhibitions as they always complement my art works.

Features and critiques – Have been widely covered by print and electronic media for my work in art, poetry and community involvement.
*A list and some Photocopies are attached.
Associations and Affiliations:

 Founder President – CROSS CURRENTS Indo Canadian International Arts.
 Past Secretary – Poetry Club of India
 Member – Poetry Society of India
 Member – India Habitat Centre (premium cultural centre, New Delhi, India)
 Member – Mississauga Arts Council of Canada
 Member – Visual Arts Mississauga
 Member – FICCI (Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry) Ladies Organization
 Member – CII (Confederation of Indian Industry, the apex body of Indian Industry)
• Member Young Managers Committee of CII.
• Member Canada India Committee of CII.
 Member and Mentor – Bharatiya Yuva Shakti Trust (Organization for the upliftment of small entrepreneurs. Offshoot of CII, founded by Late JRD Tata, a pioneering industrialist and philanthropist and founding father of the Tata Group of Industries now recently in news for buying JAGUAR and also for bringing NANO car at cost of $2500).)
 Member – Delhi Advertising Club
 Associated with many art galleries and art organizations of Delhi, India.

Highlights
 Was selected to represent India in SAARC* Artists Meet, New Delhi – December 2002.
* South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (An association of south Asian countries)
 Extensively been featured and interviewed in print and electronic media as an artist, poet and for the contribution to the community in the field of arts.
 Have been on the panel of judges on various occasions for Debates, Fashion Shows, Beauty Contests, Choreography and Children’s Art Competitions held in schools and colleges of New Delhi.
 Special interest in interior designing and landscaping. My residence in New Delhi has been featured on leading TV channels of India for its unique aesthetic appeal. The Zee network’s `NEROLAC ASHIANA’ a popular interior design program on this leading channel, showed it many times throughout the world.
 Have been the feature poet at postpoems.com/top ten.  Editor Rachelle Wiegand in 1997.
 Have been featured as the poet of the day at Café Poetry. Editor Jerry Browning in 1997.
 Received Honorable Mention for my poem ‘Stillness Moves’ at Poetry Writing Contest 2003 of Mississauga Library System Canada.
 Co-Founder of - CROSS CURRENTS–Indo Canadian International Arts (CANADA) a not for profit art organization, with a diverse group of some artists and art lovers who are dedicated in bringing diverse cultures on a common platform through art. The organization was started in the beginning of year 2004. At the moment president of this organization.
Community - After coming to Canada in 2003
Feb 04 – Present - CROSS CURRENTS – Indo Canadian International Arts (CANADA) www.crosscurrents.ca 
                                            
 Co-Founder of the mentioned not for profit art organization with a group of some artists and art lovers, ‘who are dedicated in bringing diverse cultures on a common platform through art’. The organization was started in the beginning of year 2004.
 Conceptualized, directed and curated a successful cross-cultural international multi disciplined art event –“Beyond Boundaries” (Visual Arts, Poetry Reading) held from 17th of April 2004 to 25th April in Mississauga.
 Organization has also been awarded a grant for its event ‘Beyond Boundaries’ for 2007 from the Ministry of Citizen & Immigration. The event was an International Art Festival which was held on 29th and 30th June in Mississauga. This included a Visual Art Exhibition, Poetry Reading, an Egypation Dance Performance and a Theatre.
 Organized a multi disciplined art event (Visual arts, Poetry and Music) titled “Peace and Harmony” in Scarborough on 25th July 2004 to send the message of ‘peace and harmony’ keeping in view the prevailing crime situation in the city. Event was organized jointly with CPA (Canadian Poetry Association).
 Conceptualized, directed and curated Canada-India Visual art exhibition ‘Confluence’ in Delhi at ‘Art Junction’ a premier art gallery of New Delhi. From 2nd April to 15th April 2005. A cross cultural group of artists from Canada participated with Indian artists.
 International Dance Events –
o Odissi Dance performance by Sharon Lowen 2nd July 2005 in Mississauga, Sharon is an internationally known American artist who resides in New Delhi India.
o Lecture & demonstration on abhinaiya 3rd July2005 by Sharon Lowen
o Chhau dance workshop 5th July 2005 by Sharon Lowen.
 Organized a poetry event in Mississauga Library on the 20thth of November Tagore’s late poems translated into English by Dipak Mazumdar a Canadian poet and economist..
 Launched “Unity in Diversity Children’s Art Competition” in Sept/Oct 2006 in Mississauga.
 Written articles on art events art exhibitions for the ethnic media in GTA.
 Applied for grant with Mississauga Arts Council. The organization has started getting a grant from Mississauga Arts Council in the year of its inception.

Teaching:
 Aug 2005 till date: Conducting Art and Hindi language private classes.
 Director of supplementary “Education Centre” for children by the name of “LEARNA” in Heartland at Mississauga since July 2006. We are also conducting ‘Art classes’ in the centre.
Advertising & Media:
2007 – 2008 StarBuzz                                                                         Mississauga   Canada
 Associated with a weekly Entertainment Paper StarBuzz in GTA covering Bollywood, Hollywood, and local entertainment etc. Popular in South Asian Communities.                                

1984 – 2003     Bhumeeka Advertising                                                        (New Delhi, India)
 Has been heading this advertising agency till 2003.
 Instrumental in setting up the agency. Break even achieved in 6 months.
 Involved hands on in the agency being granted in 1987 the accreditation status by the Indian Newspaper Society (an apex body of the publishing industry in India).
 Achieved annual capitalized billing of over US$ 500000 even during the down turn in the economy.
 Planned, developed and executed strategies for new product launches, brand repositioning, research and corporate identity programs.
 Working knowledge of all types of business that include Industrial, Business, Recruitment, Financial, Shops and Showroom advertising.
 Also proficient in Films, Audio Visuals, Demonstrations, Designing & Printing, Direct Mail campaigns, Public Relations, Press Conferences, Exhibitions, Events, Stalls and Outdoor Advertising.
 Part of organizing of the high powered Trade Delegation of 150 business delegates from Canada to India headed by ‘Mr. Pierre Pettigrew, the then Minister of International Trade’ in 2002 under the aegis of Confederation of Indian Industry in cooperation with Canadian High Commission in India.
Fashion Designing: Qualified asTextile Designer in1977.

1977 – 1984     Orient Craft Ltd                                                                       (New Delhi, India)     
 Worked as a Fashion Designer/Textile Designer and Fashion coordinator for this leading Indian Garments Export firm.