Mandalas in Melton

See how this local created Buddhist-inspired artworks and gave the Melton library the gift of meditation

Story by  
March 26, 2025

People visiting the Melton Library have been stopping to admire the mandalas hanging off the wall. As part of the Melton City Council’s Groundwork program, local creatives have been given the opportunity to have their work displayed at the library. In 2024, Snehika Paspunuri was one of those artists, with her exhibition titled Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (The World is One).

Five years ago, Snehika made the big move from India to Australia and now lives in Melton with her husband and two young children. Understanding that post-partum depression was a reality that many mothers face, Snehika decided to invest time in herself by doing something that she has always loved - making art. From abstract to hyper-realistic, Snehika has tried her hand at many different types of art but found herself immersed in the world of mandalas. A mandala is generally a circular shape filled with intricate patterns, shapes, or symbols that radiate outward from the centre. It often appears in meditative practices or is used as a symbol of spirituality is a widely recognised symbol in India, representing the Buddhist beliefs that nothing in life is permanent and that the universe is constantly changing. 

Snehika Paspunuri presenting her exhibition work

“I realised that my mandala arts are not only for me, but for other families too, and I can contribute to the community with my artwork.”

When Snehika completed her first mandala, she had no intention of selling her artwork. However, a friend of the family who saw the mandala was so impressed that a price was offered, and the piece was sold immediately. “I realised that my mandala arts are not only for me, but for other families too, and I can contribute to the community with my artwork.” This interaction gave Snehika the confidence she needed to put her name out there, so she decided to reach out to the Melton City Council regarding opportunities for local artists. 

Upon learning about the 2024 Groundwork Program, she applied with the one mandala painting she had at the time, and was chosen as a recipient. Snehika then started to invest countless hours into her artwork, creating the diverse and colourful range of mandalas that would be showcased at the library. The Groundwork Exhibition Program is an initiative run by the Melton City Council’s Arts & Events team. It gives local emerging artists the opportunity to curate and exhibit their work in prominent exhibition venues, such as the Melton Library and the Melton Civic Centre. Once Snehika had completed fifteen of her mandala paintings, they were displayed on Level 1 of the library. 

When looking at the paintings closely, one will see that the designs have been done meticulously, with carefully arranged dots and strokes of acrylic paint. Snehika explains that there are different kinds of mandalas, but she has opted to paint healing mandalas. “I think this is what people need nowadays. Many people don’t have time to meditate, but even by looking at these paintings, they can start to feel a sense of peace and calm. The colours and the symmetry help to do that.”

Within the captivating collection, each painting explores a different theme or colour palette. One unnamed painting (pictured right) utilises earthy tones particularly well, with rich and complex colours blending together. Concentric patterns and shapes reminiscent of a peacock’s feathers draw the eye inward, suggesting a journey from the external to the internal. The work’s rhythmic form and organic colours seem to encourage a contemplative pause, drawing on the quiet, natural beauty of the world to inspire reflection.

“Working on these paintings has given me happiness, but also peace of mind.” Snehika shares. “The symmetry means that everything needs to be perfectly aligned, and this forces me to fully concentrate on the art. Personally, I have found it to be very healing.” Alongside her culture, nature has also been a great source of inspiration for Snehika. After visiting the beach several times, she felt drawn to the colours of the ocean and its aquatic creatures. From there, she created Mahima, a breathtaking piece with shades of blue and tinged with white and pink.

Library attendees stop by to speak to Snehika about her artwork

“I think this is what people need nowadays. Many people don’t have time to meditate, but even by looking at these paintings, they can start to feel a sense of peace and calm."

The reception from the exhibition has been positive, and Snehika has since been working on customised paintings for her clients, employing a highly individualised method to make her artistic choices. “I don’t ask the client what colour or size they want, but I ask to look inside their home. The artwork I create for them is based on the vibe of the interior.” Snehika has been thrilled to see people engaging with her paintings, and hopes to continue to impart a sense of peace in anyone who stops to look.

To see more of Snehika’s amazing artwork, you can check out her instagram page @mandala_by_snehika or you can get in touch with her via email at snehika.paspunuri@gmail.com. If you’re also a local artist who is interested in having your work exhibited, the Groundwork Exhibition Program is frequently seeking applications. You can head over to their page here to read more about what opportunities are available. 

One of Snehika Paspunuri's Mandalas on display
Cathy is a passionate storyteller from Good News Melton, drawing from her experiences in community services and local government to inspire and uplift her community.

People visiting the Melton Library have been stopping to admire the mandalas hanging off the wall. As part of the Melton City Council’s Groundwork program, local creatives have been given the opportunity to have their work displayed at the library. In 2024, Snehika Paspunuri was one of those artists, with her exhibition titled Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam (The World is One).

Five years ago, Snehika made the big move from India to Australia and now lives in Melton with her husband and two young children. Understanding that post-partum depression was a reality that many mothers face, Snehika decided to invest time in herself by doing something that she has always loved - making art. From abstract to hyper-realistic, Snehika has tried her hand at many different types of art but found herself immersed in the world of mandalas. A mandala is generally a circular shape filled with intricate patterns, shapes, or symbols that radiate outward from the centre. It often appears in meditative practices or is used as a symbol of spirituality is a widely recognised symbol in India, representing the Buddhist beliefs that nothing in life is permanent and that the universe is constantly changing. 

Cathy La
is a journalist at Good News Melton. She ipsum ultricies aptent sollicitudin est congue. You can find her stories here.

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