Psychedelic Art, The Beauty of Everyday Things and Cosmic Whirl

By Smyra Arora

Hi, my name is Smyra Arora, I’m 18 years old, and I’m a first-year design student at Goldsmiths, University of London. I

love to draw and paint—not necessarily to create masterpieces, but simply as a way to unwind and relieve stress. Being

creative brings me a lot of happiness, and these are just three drawings that show my creative side.

Psychedelic Art (first)

This painting represents psychedelic art—a colorful and surreal style influenced by experiences with hallucinogenic substances like LSD and DMT, known for evoking vivid and mind-bending visuals. The term “psychedelic” itself means “mind-manifesting.”In this artwork, a girl is depicted writing, symbolizing the idea that we each hold the pen to our own futures. It emphasizes that, while external factors may influence us, we have the power to shape and transform our own circumstances. At the centre of the composition, the charkha (spinning wheel) represents independence and self-reliance, reinforcing the notion that true strength lies in depending on oneself.

The Beauty of Everyday Things (second)

Every day in our lives, we observe countless objects around us, whether inside our homes or outdoors. These objects may be natural, living, or man-made; however, we often overlook the unique characteristics of the things we see. This artwork is inspired by my observation on my balcony. The plant depicted here is the Butterfly Pea, also known as Aparajita. This plant is a creeper, requires attentive care, and offers numerous medicinal benefits.

Cosmic Whirl (third)

This artwork is a mandala- a geometric designs that represent the universe in Hindu and Buddhist symbolism, often used to promote focus and meditation. This piece incorporates patterns resembling moons and stars, symbols I’m especially drawn to and enjoy.

Editor’s Note- Smyra’s art displays a myriad of different skills, from the bright colours of her psychedelic piece, to the shadows of her plant pot. Her art showcases her skill, ability and talent at different forms of illustration and drawing.