Sarasvathy TK, a New Jersey-based painter, has redefined the boundaries of hyperrealism by bringing Indian cuisine to life on canvas. Inspired by the Dutch Baroque masters, she meticulously captures the textures, colors, and essence of food, transforming everyday dishes into mesmerizing works of art. Her paintings do more than replicate reality—they evoke sensory experiences, inviting viewers to engage with the subject on a deeper level.
Sarasvathy’s journey as an artist is shaped by her personal history, spanning multiple countries and cultures. Having lived in India, the UAE, Singapore, and now the U.S., she understands food as both a personal connection to heritage and a universal bridge between cultures. Her compositions extend beyond Indian cuisine, embracing global flavors and the narratives behind them. Through her meticulous technique and storytelling approach, Sarasvathy not only honors tradition but also elevates food as an art form, rich in meaning and memory.
Here is the artist’s interview.
What is your creative process like?
My creative process is deeply immersive and meticulous, beginning long before I put brush to canvas. Since my work is centered around food, it starts in the kitchen—cooking, plating, and arranging each dish with careful attention to composition. Lighting plays a crucial role, as I explore how shadows and highlights interact with textures to create depth and realism. Once I am satisfied with the setup, I meticulously sketch every detail, focusing on accuracy and intricate textures before transitioning to oil painting. My technique is heavily influenced by Baroque painting methods, where I layer glazes and refine details gradually to achieve hyperrealism. This extensive, multi-step process ensures that my paintings are not just visual depictions but multi-sensory experiences that invite viewers to engage deeply with the subject.
How has your style changed over time?
Over time, my artistic journey has expanded beyond Indian cuisine to explore a diverse range of global cuisines, reflecting the universality of food as a cultural bridge. While my early works were deeply rooted in Indian culinary traditions, I have since begun painting dishes from various cultures, inspired by my travels and interactions with different food traditions. This evolution allows me to highlight the cross-cultural narratives of food, its migration, and its role in shaping identities worldwide. While my core technique—hyperrealism with Baroque influences—remains consistent, my compositions now incorporate a broader spectrum of textures, ingredients, and plating styles, enriching the storytelling aspect of my work.
Do any personal experiences shape your work?
Absolutely. My journey as an immigrant plays a significant role in my work. Moving from India to the UAE, Singapore, and finally to the U.S. made me acutely aware of how food serves as a bridge between cultures, memories, and personal histories. Food was a way for me to stay connected to my heritage while also embracing the multicultural influences around me. This led to my fascination with how food travels across generations and oceans, shaping identities and communities. Additionally, my background in computer science and precision-based work has influenced my meticulous approach to detailing and composition.
What challenges do you face as an artist?
One of the biggest challenges I face is the intensive time commitment required for each piece. Hyperrealism demands extreme patience, and the intricate detailing means that a single painting can take weeks or even months to complete. Additionally, as a woman of color in the contemporary art world, navigating gallery spaces and gaining representation has sometimes been challenging. Another challenge is balancing the fine line between realism and personal artistic expression—ensuring that my paintings don’t just mimic photographs but convey a deeper, emotional resonance.
What do you want people to feel when they see your art?
I want viewers to experience an immediate sensory connection—to almost taste, smell, and feel the food in my paintings. Beyond the visual appeal, I want my art to evoke personal memories, cultural nostalgia, and a sense of shared experience. Food is inherently communal, and I hope my paintings spark conversations about heritage, tradition, and the ways in which food connects us to our roots and to each other. Ultimately, I want people to see not just a dish, but a story—one that transcends time and geography, uniting past and present through a universal language: food.
Sarasvathy TK’s work is a testament to the profound relationship between food, culture, and identity. Her hyperrealistic oil paintings go beyond visual precision, capturing the emotions and nostalgia tied to cuisine. Through patience, skill, and a deep appreciation for storytelling, she transforms simple meals into extraordinary reflections of history and heritage.
As she continues expanding her artistic repertoire, Sarasvathy remains dedicated to exploring the universality of food and its role in human connection. Her art serves as an invitation—to see, to remember, and to celebrate the beauty found in everyday experiences. Each painting is not just a dish, but a shared story.
