The Shape of Resonance

Exploring the relationship between sound, vibration, and the visual language of geometry.

Rietta with her personal set of Himalayan Singing Bowls

Somewhere between the conscious and subconscious mind lies a space where imagination seems to move beyond the boundaries of logic. A place where thoughts soften, imagery emerges, and the senses begin to overlap. Through my practice of meditation, Yoga Nidra, and working with Himalayan singing bowls, I've become increasingly fascinated by this state of awareness, where sound, colour, and form seem to exist in quiet conversation with one another.

Sound has long been an important influence on my artistic practice, not simply for what we hear, but for what we feel. A single tone from a singing bowl can linger long after it has been struck, its resonance expanding, overlapping, and gradually dissolving into silence. I find a similar rhythm within my paintings. Through repeated geometric forms, layered transparencies, and subtle shifts in colour, I explore how a composition can suggest movement and vibration without ever producing a sound. This relationship became a central theme of my 2023 solo exhibition, The Colour of Sound, which explored the connections between sensory perception, energy, and geometric abstraction.

Lost in Thought, 2023

The circle, in particular, holds a special significance in my work. Beyond its geometric simplicity, it represents unity, wholeness, and the idea of oneness. I often think of it as a visual expression of vibration, a continuous form without beginning or end. Drawing precise circles and straight lines by hand is itself a deeply meditative experience. The repetition, concentration, and gradual layering of materials create a rhythm of their own, allowing space for unexpected relationships and new ideas to emerge. In these moments, the act of making becomes as meaningful as the finished work.

Diluted Sounds, 2026

What continues to fascinate me is the possibility of translating something intangible into something visible. My paintings are not intended to illustrate sound literally, but rather to evoke its energy, rhythm, and presence. Much like meditation, they invite a moment of pause, an opportunity to move beyond what we immediately see and become aware of what we might feel. It is in this space between perception and sensation that I find some of my most meaningful creative discoveries.

Where sound becomes form, and silence finds its rhythm.