About the Artist
Seema is a self-taught ink and graphite artist and a two-time cancer survivor. In 2014, after recovery from treatment, she took up painting full time to realise her life-long dream of being an artist. Early in Seema’s artistic practice, she accidentally discovered the unique and beautiful effect of chinese ink on canvas. Seema spent the next 5 years experimenting and researching this medium and developing techniques for it.
Since 2020 Seema has been working with water-soluble graphite on linen paper, adapting techniques that she invented for ink on canvas. Seema presents this medium traditionally as framed paintings and also as sculptural objects by enveloping everyday objects with it.
The complexity of human relationships and the struggle of the human against the environment, particularly acute in Hong Kong’s crowded urbanscape, are underlying themes in Seema’s work. Of Indian descent, Seema has been based in Hong Kong for over two decades and her art is deeply influenced by her personal experiences and lived environment.
Seema's art is not only visually captivating but also carries a deeper meaning. She explores themes of identity, femininity, spirituality, and the interconnectedness of all living beings. Through her work, she invites viewers to reflect on their own experiences, emotions, and beliefs, creating a bridge between cultures and fostering dialogue.
Seema Mathew’s artworks are in private collections in Hong Kong, India, Austria, UK, Singapore and Dubai. Achievements 2024: • selected to participate in the centenary exhibition “Now and Then” at Dalkeith Palace, Scotland celebrating 100 years of Visual Arts Scotland • selected to participate in the group exhibition “Connectivity” at Woman Made Gallery, Chicago • longlisted for Visual Artists Association Professional Artist Award 2024 2023: • shortlisted for the Wells Art Contemporary prize • longlisted for Visual Artists Association Professional Artist Award 2023 • recipient of “Certificate of Artistic Achievement” from the Luxembourg Art Prize 2023 2022: • winner International Art Critics Award at Biennale Chianciano in Tuscany, Italy • recipient of “Certificate of Artistic Achievement” from the Luxembourg Art Prize 2022 2021: • shortlisted for UOB Hong Kong Art in Ink award • selected as “Artist in the Spotlight” by the Arte Laguna Prize Venice, Italy
Exhibition List 2024: • group show “Now and Then” at the historic Dalkeith Palace in Scotland, celebrating 100 years of Visual Arts Scotland • group show “Connectivity” at Woman Made Gallery, Chicago • group show at Art Central Hong Kong with Art Rooftop Gallery 2023: • group show at Red Dot Miami Art Fair with Galeria Azur during Miami Art Week • Wells Art Contemporary Prize exhibition in Wells Cathedral, England • group show “Faith in Humans” at Affordable Art Fair Hong Kong with Art Rooftop Gallery • group show at Art Central Hong Kong with Art Rooftop Gallery 2022: • group show at Biennale Chianciano in Tuscany, Italy • group show at Affordable Art Fair Hong Kong with Art Rooftop Gallery • group show at Art Central Hong Kong with Art Rooftop Gallery • group show at Galeria Azur Madrid, Spain 2021: • solo show “Origa-me” at Art Rooftop Gallery in Hong Kong • group show at Affordable Art Fair Hong Kong with Art Rooftop Gallery