DSM Speaks Audio Tour with Mamta Israbni, Community Member

Run Time: 3:06
Recorded by Mamta Israbni, CultureALL Community Ambassador / 2022

When I see this piece, Ada’s Garden, I experience many emotions. The faces of the individuals, the dark background, and the lack of objects make the painting like a dream. There is a feeling of confusion and uncertainty. Since the artwork is large and the individuals are about the same size as real people, it is easy to place myself within it. The complete story can’t be fully grasped, only felt. So, I start to build an outline, the chapters of the book are slowly constructed in my mind as I walk back and forth and study this piece. Chapter one, the woman in the painting, Ada, is walking away from the group of people who are dressed professionally, wearing suits, jackets, and dresses. She is moving toward the two women on the other side, who are dressed in more casual clothes. And I sense a bit of a struggle. We usually find comfort being a part of and being accepted by the groups around us. She has decided to approach the individuals who are off by themselves. One of the women is looking toward her, maybe wondering what choices Ada will make. The other woman has her back to the group and I am curious about what she sees, or is she just looking to leave?

Chapter two, Ada will take a risk and learn why they are off by themselves. Did they make a choice to leave the group or had they not had the opportunity yet to join the others? The people in the group do not seem to notice these women. But Ada will make an effort to include the two women and make them feel welcome. She is deciding on the best way to engage them. Chapter three, and so on, the story continues. The expressions on the individuals are like a blank canvas, and things can play out in many different ways. Kind of like those choose your own adventure books. Perhaps everyone will come together or perhaps the two women will decide to remain separate. Either way Ada will take comfort in knowing that she made the effort.

This painting is a reminder of my own personal experiences, and that need to have that sense of belonging. We create a narrative based on our unique backgrounds and how we see our life. The artwork is a mirror, a reflection of how we see ourselves at this point in time. Our description of the piece may change as the circumstances of our own life changes. I believe that everyone has unique stories that help define them and provide an understanding of the world we live in. I believe art provides a means to tell these stories. Subject matter, colors, shading, size, shapes, and medium all build the plot in my mind for this story. Sometimes that story is what the creator was intending and other times it is completely different. I can also appreciate that the creator may not have intended for this piece to tell a story at all. However, for me a story always emerges and allows me to examine where my life has been and where it might be going.

Mamta Israbni Bio

Mamta Israbni has lived in four different countries but considers Iowa her home. She enjoys traveling, gardening, cooking, reading and learning new things.

DES MOINES SPEAKS

DSM Speaks are short audio reflections on artwork in our permanent collection, written and voiced by diverse members of our community. Contributors to this program were selected in partnership with CultureALL and the Des Moines Art Center. We hope by elevating these diverse ways of seeing we can encourage all visitors to connect more deeply and to see themselves and their identities within our walls.