BIO
Monica Mohnot is an Indian American visual artist based in Austin, Texas, whose work is deeply inspired by the intricate beauty of the natural world and her experiences navigating diverse cultural realms. Born and raised in Kolkata, India, she moved to the United States in 2001. She holds a BFA in painting from Texas State University, San Marcos, and an MFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.
Her work spans painting, textiles, collage, and print, through which she pushes the boundaries of art by utilizing non-traditional materials and techniques while staying rooted in a painterly approach. In her recent works, she weaves or stitches textiles from the ground up, constructing complex patterns and compositions digitally and bringing them to life on a jacquard loom or through collaging found textile pieces. These woven forms serve as the structural essence of her art, with threads echoing the fluidity of brushstrokes, evoking abstract landscapes and bodily imprints. Incorporating dyeing, painting, vinyl, and embroidery, she adds depth and dimension, inviting viewers to explore the layered textures with a sense of tactile curiosity.
Mohnot’s practice explores themes of identity, memory, and transformation, offering a visual language that captures the fluidity of selfhood and the universal human experiences of otherness, movement, change, and growth. Beyond her artistic practice, she finds joy in sharing meaningful moments with her husband and two daughters, connecting through music, travel, movie marathons, and cooking together.
ARTIST STATEMENT
My artistic practice delves into the intricate and evolving concept of identity, seamlessly intertwining culture, memory, and transformation. As an Indian American artist, I navigate the realms of tradition and modernity, personal introspection, and collective narratives. I am interested in an expanded definition of painting. My work spans painting, textiles, collage, and print through which I push the boundaries of art by utilizing non-traditional materials and techniques, while staying rooted in my painterly approach.
In my recent works, I weave or stitch textiles from the ground up, constructing complex patterns and compositions digitally, and bringing them to life on a jacquard loom or through collaging found textile pieces. These woven forms serve as the structural essence of my art, with threads echoing the fluidity of brushstrokes, evoking abstract landscapes and bodily imprints. Incorporating dyeing, painting, vinyl, and embroidery, I add depth and dimension, inviting viewers to explore the layered textures with a sense of tactile curiosity.
This fusion of digital innovation with traditional textile methods bridges contemporary technology with the heritage of South Asian crafts. Working with textiles allows me to engage with tradition, posing questions about identity, gender, and labor. Using vintage fabrics, I honor the unacknowledged labor of women in the diaspora and the intimacy of domestic spaces. The focus on materiality and visual storytelling continues to shape the narratives I create, expressing the interconnectedness of identity over time. Through the layering of textiles, dyes, threads, and abstract compositions, I convey the ongoing weaving of personal and collective histories, embodying both memory and transformation.
Through my work, I aim to provide a sensory experience for the viewer, encouraging them to engage with the abstract forms and shifting landscapes on both visual and tactile levels. The layered surfaces invite personal interpretations and reflections on identity and place, allowing each viewer to uncover their own narrative within the textures and forms. By merging painting with textile techniques, I seek to blur distinctions between these practices, offering a cohesive exploration of the ever-changing nature of identity.