Meena Chopra - Resume

Meena Chopra

MEENA CHOPRA - Artist, Poet & Artist Educator 71 Glenn Hawthorne Blvd, Mississauga, Ontario L5R 2K4 Tell: 905 507 2579 /Cell: 416 560 3650 Email: [email protected] http://meenasartworld.blogspot.com/ http://meena-chopra.fineartamerica.com http://www.myartprofile.com/meenachopra Photo Albums at picas web http://picasaweb.google.ca/meenachopra17 http://picasaweb.google.ca/crosscurrents.ca http://childrens-art-competition.blogspot.com/ www.crosscurrents.ca

Combined Resume: •

Visual Art, Poetry

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Community work in arts of diverse cultures and its inclusion in main stream.

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Teaching and managing after school learning centre.

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Advertising, Marketing & Media communication

Art Statement/Message: My art is my search for the moments beyond the ones of self knowledge. It is the rhythmic fantasy which is so very elusive. A restless streak which looks for its own fulfillment. A stillness that moves within. An intense search for my origin and ultimate identity. Serene surroundings of my birth place ‘Nainital’ a hill resort in India have been a source of inspiration to me always. Strangely enough the beauty of Canada reminds me of my birth place a lot. Significantly the immenseness of the sky, the glory of the setting sun with its ever-changing colors and the unlimited wide expanse of the earth stills my nature within.

Born in Nainital, India • Graduated in Science from Isabella Thouberne College (Lucknow University), 1976 • Diploma in Textile Designing from Delhi, 1977 • Worked as Textile and Fashion Designer for seven years (1977 - 1985) • Attended Art and Sculpture classes at Triveni Kala Sangam New Delhi India. 1985 • Attended ‘Art Appreciation’ classes at National Museum of Art New Delhi India 1991 • Have been running an advertising agency (Bhumeeka Advertising) in New Delhi, India from 1985 – 2003. • Came to Canada in 2003. • Qualified artist educator (Learning Through the Arts) from The Royal Conservatory School

(The RCM) Ontario in 2009, which means to implement an arts-infused approach in developing the potential of every child and adult. Medium of Visual Art Works: ƒ ƒ

Medium of Literary Arts

Oil on Canvas Oil Pastel on Paper

Poetry both in English and Hindi(native) 1

Meena Chopra

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Digital Art Artworks with poems Sculpture

Art Shows: ƒ ƒ ƒ ƒ ƒ ƒ ƒ ƒ ƒ ƒ ƒ ƒ ƒ ƒ ƒ ƒ ƒ ƒ

1st Delhi Women Artists Show (Sahitya Kala Parishad) – September1986 – Juried Show One person show at Triveni Gallery, New Delhi – 19th to 29th Nov.1986 - Juried Show. One person show at Gallery Aurobindo, New Delhi -5th to 16th April 1988. One person show at Triveni Gallery, New Delhi -27th Feb to 7th March 1992 - Juried Show. One person show at Jehangir Art Gallery, Bombay – 8th March to 14th March1993 - Juried Show. One person show at The Nehru Centre, London – 26th July to 5th August 1996 (under auspices of Indian Council for Cultural Relations and Indian High Commission in England) - Juried Show. Group show ‘Colours of Hope' at Siri Fort, New Delhi - December 1996. One person show at Jain Marunouichi Gallery, New Delhi – 18th January to 29th January 1997. Group Show at Art Today, New Delhi - June 1997 - Juried Show. Annual All India Art Exhibition (AIFACS), New Delhi – 1998 - Juried Show. One person show at Shridharani Gallery, New Delhi – 12 th August to 22nd August 1999 - Juried Show. One person show at India Habitat Centre, New Delhi - 23rd & 24th August 1999. AIFACS(All India Arts & crafts society) Show, New Delhi – December 2000 - Juried Show. AIFACS(All India arts & Crafts Society) Show, New Delhi – December 2001 - Juried Show. SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) Artists Group Show at Ajanta Art Gallery, New Delhi –29th December 2002 5th Jan 2003. SAARC Artists Art Camp & Group Show at Art Junction, New Delhi-18th to 28th December 2002. Group Show at Art Junction, New Delhi – January 2003. Group Show at Art Junction New Delhi – October 2003.

Shows after migrating to Canada, from 2004. ƒ Group Show in Canada ‘Beyond Boundaries’- Organized by CROSS CURRENTS Indo Canadian Arts – 18th April to 27th April 2004. ƒ Group Show in Canada – Design Exchange Toronto, During ‘South Asian Heritage Festival’ – Organized by Jyafest and Shaylee Someshwar- May 2004. ƒ Group Show in Canada ‘Peace and Harmony’ - Organized by CROSS CURRENTS Indo Canadian Arts - 25th July. ƒ Group Show in Canada Streetsville Art Gallery March 2005. ƒ Group Show at Art Junction, New Delhi India ‘Confluence’(Canadian and Indian Artists) Organized by CROSS CURRENTS Indo Canadian Arts - April 2005. ƒ Group Show in Canada. Origins. Assembly Hall Lakeshore Toronto –Sep 28 to Oct 21 2005. ƒ Group Show in Canada –A.R.T. Holiday Inn Hotel in Brampton on December 7, 2005 organized by Peel Community connection. ƒ One Person Show in Canada – Residual Dreams. Central Library, Mississauga Canada. 1st Dec to 30th Dec 2005 ƒ Group Show in Canada. Artfully Yours @ Novotel, Hotel organized by Mississauga Arts Council and VAM –Feb to April 30 – Juried Show. ƒ Group Show in Canada ‘A Tapestry of Cultures’, Bradley Museum, March 1st to June 6 Juried Show. ƒ Group Show in Canada –A.R.T. Beaux – Arts Brampton Organized by Peel Community Connection. Feb 28 to March 11 2006 ƒ Group Show in Canada - A.R.T. Caledon Town Hall Organized by Peel Community Connection. March 9 to March 17 2006. ƒ Group Show in Canada – A.R.T. Four Rinks Community Centre in Mississauga on March 29, 2006 ƒ Group Show ’ Beyond Boundaries’ June 2007 ƒ Group Show: Streetsville Arts Fest 2009 2

Meena Chopra

Paintings are in the Collection of: Air India, Hilton Intercontinental, Indian High Commission (Malaysia), Indian High Commission (London), Delhi Development Authority, Border Security Force India, Central Reserve Police Force India and with many Private collectors in India, Australia, England, Canada, Sweden, UAE and also with Aissah S Al Sabah a Princess of Kuwait.

Curatorial Work: • • •

International Art Exhibition ‘Beyond Boundaries’ – June 2007 Mississauga, Canada. Art Exhibition of Canadian Artists to India ‘Confluence’ - April 2005 New Delhi, India International Art Exhibition: “ Beyond Boundaries” 2004, April in Mississauga Canada

Poetry: Published Works – • English • Translations from English to German • Hindi Books • First book of verse titled `IGNITED LINES’ Released in London, U.K. at The Nehru Centre, July 1996 by Dr L M Singhvi (then High Commissioner of India to UK). Released in New Delhi, January 1997 by Shri K C Pant, former Defence Minister of Inda. New Books under publication 1. Working on my 2nd book of poems ‘Subeh Ka Suraj Ab Mera Nahin Hai’ (Adieu to the Dawn ) to be published and released in July/ August 2009. 2. Working on my 3rd book of poems – Translating my English poems from my earlier book Ignited Lines into Hindi. To be published and released July/August 2009. Poems have been translated & published in German by Dr Carla Kraus in `Zenit' (Austria), and `Capriccio' (Germany) both literary journals. Poems have been published in many National and International Literary Journals and Magazines repeatedly in English and Hindi both. Names of a few are as follows: • ‘Sun’ New Delhi, • ‘Sarita’ New Delhi, • ‘Gagananchal’ the official publication of Indian Council for Cultural Relation, India • ’Poets International’ Jayanagar, • ‘The Journal of Poetry Society of India’, • Neighborhood Star New Delhi, • ‘Pioneer’ New Delhi, • ‘Weekend Observer’ New Delhi, • ‘Day After’ New Delhi, • ‘Evening News’ New Delhi. • ‘Rashtriya Sahara’ New Delhi. • ‘Delhi Scenario’ New Delhi, • ‘Poet’ An International Monthly Chennai, • ‘Continuum’ Poetry Club of India’s Publication. And many others. 3

Meena Chopra

Poems are also on the Internet at the following sites: ‘Postpoems.com’ http://www.postpoems.com/members/meena,The Electric Café' http://www.baselink.com, `Spoken War' http://www.spokenwar.com , `Poetry Today Online' http://www.poetrytodayonline.com, `Poetry Site' http://www.members.aol.com/poetrysite, `Poetry Café' http:/www.plazma.com, India Ink, http://www.sahityakunj.net/LEKHAK/M/MeenaChopra/MeenaChopra_main.htm A poem has also been selected to be published in a `Best of’ Anthology of poems collated by Ms E A Lynch, USA. Have been invited for poetry readings at Triveni Auditorium, Rajasthan Club, Nehru Centre, London, Academy of Fine Arts & Literature, Poetry Society (India), India Habitat Centre, (By Poetry Club of India on many occasions) Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan, Central Library Mississauga, and Indian Consulate Toronto. My poems have always been on display in my art exhibitions particularly the solo exhibitions as they always complement my art works.

Features and critiques – Have been widely covered by print and electronic media for my work in art, poetry and community involvement. *A list and some Photocopies are attached.

Associations and Affiliations: ƒ ƒ ƒ ƒ ƒ ƒ ƒ ƒ

Founder President – CROSS CURRENTS Indo Canadian International Arts. Past Secretary – Poetry Club of India Member – Poetry Society of India Member – India Habitat Centre (premium cultural centre, New Delhi, India) Member – Mississauga Arts Council of Canada Member – Visual Arts Mississauga Member – FICCI (Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry) Ladies Organization Member – CII (Confederation of Indian Industry, the apex body of Indian Industry) • Member Young Managers Committee of CII. • Member Canada India Committee of CII. ƒ Member and Mentor – Bharatiya Yuva Shakti Trust (Organization for the upliftment of small entrepreneurs. Offshoot of CII, founded by Late JRD Tata, a pioneering industrialist and philanthropist and founding father of the Tata Group of Industries now recently in news for buying JAGUAR and also for bringing NANO car at cost of $2500).) ƒ Member – Delhi Advertising Club ƒ Associated with many art galleries and art organizations of Delhi, India.

Highlights Was selected to represent India in SAARC* Artists Meet, New Delhi – December 2002. * South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (An association of south Asian countries) ƒ Have been on the panel of judges on various occasions for Debates, Fashion Shows, Beauty Contests, Choreography and Children’s Art Competitions held in schools and colleges of New Delhi. ƒ Special interest in interior designing and landscaping. My residence in New Delhi has been featured on leading TV channels of India for its unique aesthetic appeal. The Zee network’s `NEROLAC ASHIANA’ a popular interior design program on this leading channel, showed it many times throughout the world. ƒ Have been the feature poet at postpoems.com/top ten. Editor Rachelle Wiegand in 1997. 4

Meena Chopra

ƒ Have been featured as the poet of the day at Café Poetry. Editor Jerry Browning in 1997. ƒ Received Honorable Mention for poem ‘Stillness Moves’ at Poetry Writing Contest 2003 of Mississauga Library System Canada. ƒ Co-Founder of - CROSS CURRENTS–Indo Canadian International Arts (CANADA) a not for profit art organization, with a diverse group of some artists and art lovers who are dedicated in bringing diverse cultures on a common platform through art. The organization was started in the beginning of year 2004. At the moment am President of this organization. ƒ Have represented Canada in New Delhi India in 7th International Hindi Celebration Meet in December 2008 organized by Akshram in association with ICCR(Indian Council for Cultural Relations) and read a paper on develpoment of Hindi literature in Canada. ƒ On the board of directors -North American Desi Idol 2009 – A Reality Talent Show for dance and singing of South Asians.

Community & Art Events - After coming to Canada in 2003 Feb 04 – Present ƒ

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Co-Founder of not for profit art organization - CROSS CURRENTS – Indo Canadian International Arts (CANADA) www.crosscurrents.ca with a group of some artists and art lovers, ‘who are dedicated in bringing diverse cultures on a common platform through art’. The organization was started in the beginning of year 2004. Conceptualized, directed and curated a successful cross-cultural international multi disciplined art event –“Beyond Boundaries” (Visual Arts, Poetry Reading) held from 17th of April 2004 to 25th April in Mississauga. Organization has also been awarded a grant for its event ‘Beyond Boundaries’ for 2007 from the Ministry of Citizen & Immigration. The event was an International Art Festival which was held on 29th and 30th June in Mississauga. This included a Visual Art Exhibition, Poetry Reading, an Egypation Dance Performance and a Theatre. Organized a multi disciplined art event (Visual arts, Poetry and Music) titled “Peace and Harmony” in Scarborough on 25th July 2004 to send the message of ‘peace and harmony’ keeping in view the prevailing crime situation in the city. Event was organized jointly with CPA (Canadian Poetry Association). Conceptualized, directed and curated Canada-India Visual art exhibition ‘Confluence’ in Delhi at ‘Art Junction’ a premier art gallery of New Delhi. From 2nd April to 15th April 2005. A cross cultural group of artists from Canada participated with Indian artists. International Dance Events – 9 Odissi Dance performance by Sharon Lowen 2nd July 2005 in Mississauga, Sharon is an internationally known American artist who resides in New Delhi India. 9 Lecture & demonstration on abhinaiya 3rd July2005 by Sharon Lowen 9 Chhau dance workshop 5th July 2005 by Sharon Lowen. Organized a poetry event in Mississauga Library on the 20thth of November Tagore’s late poems (Indian National poet and Artist) translated into English by Dipak Mazumdar a Canadian poet and economist. Launched “Unity in Diversity Children’s Art Competition” in Sept/Oct 2006 in Mississauga. “Unity in Diversity Children’s Art Competition” 2008 0n 23rd 2008 Written articles on art events art exhibitions for the ethnic media in GTA. Applied for grant with Mississauga Arts Council. The organization has started getting a grant from Mississauga Arts Council in the year of its inception. Co-Chair Streetsville Art Fest 2009 Streetsville Art Fest 2009 -PR and visual art juror Board of Directors- North American Desi Idol.

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Meena Chopra

Teaching: ƒ Aug 2005 till date: Conducting Art and Hindi language private classes. ƒ Director of supplementary “Education Centre” for children by the name of “LEARNA” in Heartland at Mississauga since July 2006. We are also conducting ‘Art classes’ in the centre. ƒ Administrator TOEFL Testing.

Advertising & Media: 2007 – 2008 StarBuzz ƒ

Mississauga Canada

Associated with a weekly Entertainment Paper StarBuz zEnglish News weekly in GTA covering Bollywood, Hollywood, and local entertainment etc. Popular in South Asian Communities.

1984 – 2003 Bhumeeka Advertising (New Delhi, India) ƒ Has been heading this advertising agency till 2003. ƒ Instrumental in setting up the agency. Break even achieved in 6 months. ƒ Involved hands on in the agency being granted in 1987 the accreditation status by the Indian Newspaper Society (an apex body of the publishing industry in India). ƒ Achieved annual capitalized billing of over US$ 500000 even during the down turn in the economy. ƒ Planned, developed and executed strategies for new product launches, brand repositioning, research and corporate identity programs. ƒ Working knowledge of all types of business that include Industrial, Business, Recruitment, Financial, Shops and Showroom advertising. ƒ Also proficient in Films, Audio Visuals, Demonstrations, Designing & Printing, Direct Mail campaigns, Public Relations, Press Conferences, Exhibitions, Events, Stalls and Outdoor Advertising. ƒ Part of organizing of the high powered Trade Delegation of 150 business delegates from Canada to India headed by ‘Mr. Pierre Pettigrew, the then Minister of International Trade’ in 2002 under the aegis of Confederation of Indian Industry in cooperation with Canadian High Commission in India.

Fashion Designing: Qualified asTextile Designer in1977. 1977 – 1984 Orient Craft Ltd (New Delhi, India) ƒ Worked as a Fashion Designer/Textile Designer and Fashion coordinator for this leading Indian Garments Export firm.

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