I am a Scottish-Indian artist specializing in oil and mixed media landscapes. My imagined landscapes are inspired by hill-walks in Scotland and explore the multifaceted symbolism of nature which provides abodes of comfort and emblems of life. My work aims to convey tranquility, regeneration and renewal; the interplay of light that exists outside and within us celebrates the vitality and resilience of the natural world with unseen connections and interdependencies that sustain life. My compositions originate primarily from memories and feelings, some from photographs taken during walks and some others through an amalgamation of imagination and observation.

My artistic process involves developing layers in oil, use of marble dust, plaster of Paris and dry pigment. I also employ scratching the paint to create a textured, dynamic effect that mirrors the complexity and beauty of nature. My studio practice includes experimenting with mono-printing, lino-print, water colour, gouache and oil paints and use of bold colours. I have held exhibitions over the past 8 years in Edinburgh and around Scotland and my work has been sold widely. I am a self-taught artist who started painting at an early age. I have bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Biological Sciences and a doctorate in Education. In Scotland I have worked for the NHS, the voluntary sector and the Scottish Government.

Exhibitions

  1. Amarathine - solo exhibition, Fairmilehead Parish Church, Edinburgh, August 2024

  2. Exhibition of Paintings by Vibha Pankaj (Scottish Indian Artist)– Consulate General of India, Rutland Square, Edinburgh, December 2023

  3. Amaranthine -solo exhibition, Fairmilehead Parish Church, Edinburgh June 2023

  4. Amaranthine – solo exhibition at the Dundas Street Gallery Edinburgh November 2020.

  5. Big Art Show 2024, 2-10 Causeyside Street, Paisley, 30 August – 16 November 2024.

  6. Now and Then – Centenary Show, Dalkeith Palace, Visual Art Scotland, 16–25 Aug 2024

  7. Hill and Hedgerows, Featuring artworks of the Pentlands, Colinton Arts Edinburgh, July to Oct 2023.

  8. Exhibition; Junor Gallery, J&G Innes Ltd, St Andrews, May - June 2022.

  9. Patient Dignity - Book Launch & Exhibition of paintings, St Vincent’s Chapel, Edinburgh Nov. 2021.

  10. Scottish Society of Artists, 123rd ANNUAL Exhibition, RSA, The Mound, Edinburgh Nov 1-23, 2021

  11. Madder, Exhibition of the work of Centre for Open Learning; University of Edinburgh March 2019.

  12. The art exhibition by Juniper Collective, The Dundas Street Gallery Edinburgh, March 2018.

  13. Working in the Margins, Centre for Open Learning, University of Edinburgh Nov - Feb, 2018/19.

  14. Impressions of the sea, sand and hills of Scotland, The Newington Library Edinburgh, Sept 2018.

  15. Self-directed practice – Developing a language, Exhibition, Centre for Open Learning, University of Edinburgh April 2017.

  16. Exhibitions, Various, Edinburgh College of Art 2016-2018.

Publications (Books)

1.  Patient Dignity (2021). Bashabi Fraser and Vibha Pankaj; A collection of her paintings -collaborative poetry and art venture, published by Scotland Street Press (https://www.scotlandstreetpress.com/artists/dr-vibha-pankaj).

2.  Habitat (2023) Cover image –Bridges, Painting by Vibha Pankaj.

Media and reviews

1. Feature article - Interview: Patient Dignity (Bashabi Fraser and Vibha Pankaj), Publishing Scotland https://www.publishingscotland.org/feature/interview-patient-dignity/25 March 2022. 

2.    Review of Patient Dignity - Poetry books to bring pleasure amid self-serving politics Prof. Alan Riach (Glasgow University), The National, 7th February 2022. https://www.thenational.scot/culture/19903885.alan-riach-poetry-books-bring-pleasure-amid-self-serving-politics/

3.    Review of Solo exhibition, AMARANTHINE Artmag (2020) https://artmag.co.uk/vibha-pankaj-brings-a-glimpse-of-the-everlasting-at-dundas-street-gallery/ https://www.artmag.co.uk/the-juniper-collective-a-showcase-of-refreshingly-innovative-art-work/

4.    Sunday morning with Connie McLaughlin, Poet Bashabi Fraser and artist Vibha Pankaj on their creative collaboration. BBC Radio Scotland, 21 November 2021. https://www.bbc.co.uk/schedules/p00fzl8g/2021/11/21

5. An interview with Bashabi Fraser and Vibha Pankaj, Scotland Street Press (2021) https://www.scotlandstreetpress.com/journal/a-conversation-with-bashabi-fraser-and-vibha-pankaj-about-making-patient-dignity-during-the-pandemic

6.    Vibha Pankaj in conversation, Junor Gallery July 2022 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vy_IOKZFCl4)

7.    interview of Vibha Pankaj, Awaz FM Glasgow Radio https://www.facebook.com/awazfmglasgow/videos/1088061881632354/?sfnsn=scwspmo

8.    John Purser (composer, musicologist, Glasgow) - Review of paintings published in ‘Patient Dignity’

“Of all the images, the one that will haunt me is Miles to go. Vibha Pankaj paints from the heart and even in reproduction one can see this - and there is a freedom and also a daring with colour and form that reminds me a little of Jack Yeats and matches your own poetic freedoms. But also, the painting accompanying 'Remember', its pointilliste array of white flowers in early spring in the woods so striking”.

9.    Dr Mario Relich (Secretary Scottish Poetry Asst) Review of paintings published in ‘Patient Dignity’

“I am deeply honoured by your poem dedicated to me, namely 'Moments of Truth and Hope', especially being associated with ragas...The title-poem is perfect in its analogy.   Pankaj's paintings are fully in tune with your poems, while of course coming up with a visual/artistic perspective all her own”.

Gallery representation

1.    Junor Gallery, St Andrews

2.    Colinton Arts Edinburgh