ARTIST STATEMENT
Conceptually Navarasa is a contemporary synthesis of my Indian and Australian cultures. Navarasa refers to the nine facial expressions used in Kathakali. I researched Keralan theatrical folk dances including the Kathakali, Mohiniyattam and Theyyam traditions. Inspired, I constructed a sculptural headpiece adopting a fusion of elements from traditional genres and Australian floral motifs. This focus on Southern Indian artforms stemmed from the artworks of Riitta Ikonen, Dominika Dyka and Christian Thompson who connected with my exploration of identity and journey. The entanglement of different materials including intricate Indian iconography and symbols is a cultural manipulation and metaphor of my persona.
ARTWORK PROCESS
I researched and referenced southern Indian Keralan theatrical folk dances including the Kathakali, Mohiniyattam and Theyyam traditions. Inspired by these, I constructed a sculptural headpiece adopting a fusion of elements influenced by the different traditional genres and Australian floral motifs. I then wore this hand made headdress in a series of digital images. I printed one of these digital self portraits on a large piece of chiffon to symbolize the flow of the traditional sari. The photographic installation and large chiffon digital portrait places my headpiece in a traditional Mohiniyattam theatrical performance
