116. Empowering yourself when you can’t change your environment with Avantika Mathur (Part 1)

The Humble Rising Podcast

Back in April 2024, I went on a wellness retreat and met Avantika Mathur. She had the brightest smile and most vibrant energy, and she led two art therapy sessions for all of us attending the retreat.. In one of the sessions, she asked us to draw: “Who are you without…all your titles.” In another session, she asked us to draw: “What do you do when you’re trying to protect yourself and what are you protected yourself from?” Take 20 people….give them that question, watch them draw their answer and listen to each of them as they share vulnerably each time. That was the safe, contained experience Avantika created for us at that retreat. We also did some dance therapy because you know, music and movement is life!

I kept in touch with Avantika and asked her to be on the podcast to share more of her story and her incredible work. Avantika, known as WomenPow, is a distinguished multi-disciplinary surrealist artist with over a decade of experience in the art and fashion sectors. She holds a BFA from the University of the Philippines, Manila, and an MFA from SNDT Women's University, Mumbai.

Dedicated to women's empowerment, Avantika employs various artistic mediums, including canvas series, street art, and body painting, to convey her message. She collaborates with renowned fashion institutions such as NIFT and FAD, teaching color psychology, idea generation, and fashion styling. Additionally, she serves as the resident artist for leading real estate companies Raheja and Godrej.

Avantika does immense social work and was the President of the Rotary Club of Navi Mumbai Industrial Area(22-23) and works with local political policymakers. As a certified therapeutic art life coach, she is part of a wellness retreat called Datu, offering Ayurvedic programs in Italy twice a year. She also supports children and women in need through art therapy across urban and rural villages.

Balancing multiple roles—artist, activist, professor, philanthropist, and politician—Avantika is married to Rahesh Donny, and they have three fur babies– a dog, Chester, and two cats, Wakanda and Troy. She lives by the motto, "When life shines in full glory, why be subtle?"

In this two-part conversation, Avantika and I delve into her work and just how impactful healing and conversation through art can be, which is what I personally experienced when working with her. She shares how what may appear to someone else as a disempowered woman can still feel empowered, despite their situation. For Avantika, empowerment is really about how do we ignite change from within, when we cannot change our external environment? In her words, only you can turn misery into magic. No one can do it for you and you can’t hide behind excuses.

CONNECT WITH AVANTIKA

www.avantikamathur.com

IG: www.instagram.com/womenpow

Email: [e-mail]

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