Kiran chugani

Migration Paintings

Family Migration Journeys: Commissioned Healing Paintings

883 KM – Karachi to Bombay
2418 KM – Karachi to Colombo
7987 KM – Mumbai to Casablanca

I am now offering the opportunity to commission a personalized painting that captures your family’s journey and experiences. These commissioned pieces will follow the same process and symbolism as my series, creating a unique artwork that honors your heritage and promotes healing. With this series, my intention is to put to rest the pain and to open up to the diverse paths life has led us since.

The decision to offer these commissioned works is inspired by my own recent series of paintings, Stroke of Midnight, a deeply personal and poignant exploration of healing from the 1947 Partition of India and Pakistan. This series grew out of my exploration of my own family’s story, rooted in Karachi, and the traumatic upheaval that followed the revelation of the Radcliffe Line on August 17, 1947. This line divided India and Pakistan, forcing millions to flee across borders, leaving behind a trail of devastation and pain. My family, like many others, was uprooted by this historical event. Through conversations with grandparents, aunts, and uncles, I pieced together fragments of our journey, though the complete narrative remains elusive.  The process made me realize clear that this history runs through my veins, influencing my life and art in profound ways.

In this series, I use handmade paper, burning holes with an incense stick – always Nag Champa – to echo the daily morning prayers at home. This ritualistic act serves as a cathartic release of stories and images, carried away by the smoke in prayer. The band of gold in each piece symbolizes both what could be taken before displacement and all that is sacred. The titles of these paintings are measured in kilometers, representing the distances my extended family traveled to find safety: Karachi to Bombay (883 km), Karachi to Colombo (2418 km), Hyderabad to Baroda (1115 km), and more. Some family members rebuilt their lives in these new locations, while others saw them as stepping stones toward establishing a new home. 

How It Works:

  1. Share Your Story: Provide me with details of your family’s journey, including locations and distances traveled.
  2. Customized Art: I will create an oil painting that incorporates handmade paper as part of the piece. The paper will have holes burnt with an incense stick, in a ritual that asks for the clearing and release of the imprints of your family’s story.
  3. Personalized Title: The title of your piece will reflect the distances traveled, symbolizing the path to safety and new beginnings.
  4. Healing Ritual: As I create your piece, I will perform a clearing and release ritual, asking for healing and peace for your family.

How to Commission:

  • Contact Me: Reach out via the contact form to discuss your commission. We’ll set up a time to speak.
  • Provide Details: We’ll set up a speaking session where you share your family’s story, including key locations and distances. 
  • Discuss Options: We will discuss size, pricing, and any specific requests you may have.
  • Deposit: A non-refundable deposit of 50% is required to secure your artwork.
  • Create & Heal: I will begin to develop the painting, integrating my healing practices into the creative process, and  keep you updated along the way.
  • Completion: Upon completion, the remaining 50% is requested before delivery.
  • Delivery: Your personalized artwork will be shipped to you.

As an artist and an energy healer, my process is designed  to honor the experiences of your past while creating space to capture your reflections and memories in a beautiful work of art that memorializes your family story. I look forward to working with you to create a custom piece that resonates with your family’s unique history and journey.