From the sequence ‘Secrets and techniques within the Folds’
| Picture Credit score: Particular association
A sublime South Indian lady in a sari., a flower adorning her hair. You solely see her from behind: this straightforward portrait, speaks louder than phrases.
Artist Ashik Jaffer Ali showcases a sequence of comparable watercolour portraits of South Indian ladies in her solo present that highlights the nuances of their tradition. Ashik is happy for her present Secrets and techniques within the Folds at ArtStreet 2023 of Coimbatore Vizha. Ashik, who was a part of the organising crew of Kovai Vizha’s Artwork Avenue prior to now years, offered her work for the primary time in her hometown. From an architect to an activist who employs artwork as an announcement, Ashik finds her journey enriching.
Artist Ashik Jaffer Ali
| Picture Credit score:
Particular association
In her sequence, she exhibits how the easy act of doing their hair day by day reveals lots about in regards to the ladies’s background, persona and even their quirks. The work carry these attributes to gentle, she captures their distinct persona by means of braids and buns adorned with flowers. ”The rationale I selected the bottom is that a number of ladies take delight in caring for their hair. So making a gift of the face will likely be blatant,” says Ashik. All portraits are titled with a reputation greatest fitted to the muse. The muted existence of those ladies is portrayed by means of refined tones in cold-pressed papers.
We regularly are likely to restrict one thing by defining them, however Ashik’s work provide a reverse train. She offers in her work a glimpse of who they may very well be in order that the viewers can pause to ponder upon them, looking for faces and expressions. The main points together with gray hair, texture of the flowers, folds of the sari and nuptial chain, add to it creating a number of narratives.
She focuses on middle-aged ladies engaged in home labour. Whereas some work are impressed by pictures, others are of the individuals she is aware of. “One portray was truly impressed by my maid at residence, who was bodily abused. I felt a necessity to present one thing again to her and her neighborhood which is usually uncared for,” remarks Ashik including that she plans to donate among the revenue to RTU-India, an organisation that empowers ladies and kids.
Ashik has additionally included two work that discover feminine friendships. Capturing the essence of common sisterhood, she exhibits two previous ladies in an embrace. In one other, Madhura and Shanti’s playful bond challenges societal norms, symbolising a shared resistance towards marriage expectations. Every portrait celebrates the timeless connections amongst ladies.
The wealthy tapestry of tales on 15×21 cm paper turns into an area for realisations. Ashik provides color and individuality to the mundane that’s usually deemed monotonous.