The exhibition ‘A Touch of the Divine’ by husband-wife duo Rudi D’Silva and Evita Pereira e Silva explores faith through charcoal drawings and intricate parchment art
Art for a deeper spiritual connection
Art often serves as a mirror to the soul, helping individuals explore emotions that may be hard to express. This can open pathways leading to deeper self-awareness and spiritual understanding. Artists often experience a sense of flow or transcendence during creation, which can help them feel more connected to their higher self or the divine. Similarly, viewers can find themselves in a meditative state by focusing on intricate details or the emotions conveyed by the artwork.”
-Rudi D’Silva
CHRISTINE MACHADO
Artists Rudi D’Silva and Evita Pereira e Silva regularly exhibit their works, both in solo and group shows, with a portion of the proceeds going to charity. This year, as the husband-wife duo delved deeper into their relationship with the divine through their art, they chose the Lenten season to showcase their latest works.
Titled ‘A Touch of the Divine’, the exhibition will preview on March 22 at the Museum of Christian Art, Old Goa.
Rudi’s collection consists of charcoal paintings created over the past year, depicting themes of faith, prayer, the agony of Jesus, and The Good Shepherd. “Each artwork was done with great care to instill the deep connection I felt with every subject by keeping it simple in black and white, which I feel is more difficult than colour, because with colours you can express emotions, feelings and moods much more easily,” he shares.
Religious subjects, he notes, demand even more precision. “Whether portraying Jesus, Mother Mary, or Infant Jesus, each piece must exude piety. As I worked, it felt like a conversation—seeking answers and expressing gratitude,” he says.
Describing his creative process, Rudi likens it to bamboo, which grows underground before suddenly emerging. “A subject may linger in my subconscious, slowly taking shape. Eventually, it transfers onto paper,” he explains. Faith, in particular, has always fascinated him. “Some pray tirelessly, while others lose faith. Strong belief is becoming rare, and that’s what I wanted to capture,” he says.
An interesting element in his work is the depiction of the weathered hands of an elderly worshipper. “Despite hardships, the older generation’s faith never wavered. Through these aged hands, I aim to portray this unwavering devotion,” he says.
Evita, meanwhile, brings parchment craft (Pergamano) to the exhibition, showcasing intricately designed crosses and angels.
“The parchment crosses were inspired by the iconic churches of Europe we visited,” she shares. The challenge of turning blank parchment into a delicate masterpiece fascinates her. “Each piece required meticulous detailing, making it truly divine,” she says.
Evita learned parchment art years ago while living abroad. Though she later explored quilling and punch craft, she remains most attached to parchment work, as it demands exceptional skill, patience, and dedication. “Creating something exquisite keeps me going,” she says.
However, she acknowledges that the awareness about this art is very low.
“I feel this art form was appreciated and practiced all over the world by the older generations and now it should be carried forward by the younger generation before it’s lost,” she says. “Through workshops, I’ve been working to revive and share it with students of all ages.”
(The exhibition will run from March 23 to April 22, with proceeds supporting MoCA’s heritage conservation, education, and cultural initiatives.)
