Photography

Making of Memories

SWEPT OFF (2021)

The ocean was perceived in myriad of ways throughout the history of human kind. Water is the source of birth to each element on Earth; covering about 71% of earth’s surface. Life originated from ocean is the belief of all major religions in the world. The cultural understanding of ocean is diverse and polyphonous. The ocean as the origin of life is a major belief in many religions. Another predominant belief prevalent among many cultures is that, once a human being leaves its physical entity the soul attains salvation by immersing the physical remains in the sea. Hence, one can say that birth, death and sea have a palpable connection in many cultures. According to the myth of Adam and Eve, they became aware of their nudity for the first time when they committed their first sin. They began feel ashamed of their own body. According to this Biblical tale, here begins the lifetime association of people and clothes. It is not only a protection and a covering; it is a part of life from birth to death and a cultural artefact. The musings on this integral connection paved way to the work ‘Swept Off’. There were times when women were not allowed to wear clothes above their waist. There were times when dress was considered a luxury. The dress remained a problematic subject in the cultural history of Kerala. Caste hegemony, gender privileges and class hierarchy where pivotal in shaping the apparelling habits of Kerala. As the time evolved, dress became a basic amenity. The cultural geography of Alappuzha had a significant role in the apparelling habits of Kerala. The sands of Alappuzha, a place well known for the fabrics it produces could not be any better place for the work ‘Swept Off’. Starting on a very personal note, I have an ingrained relationship with clothes. My grandmother, being a tailor gifted me my very first dress on the day I was born. Some touches are divine; I would love to believe that my grandmother’s gift was indeed such a one. I have never felt a shortage for cloths in my life. My grandmother’s presence as well as absence leads to many memories related to my works; dress being a vital part of it. Being a woman artist who tenuously tried to shackle the male dominance in the field, I created my own space by wearing shirts always and made a trademark for myself. All these connections with my real life prompted me to the work ‘Swept Off’ which I did in the sands of Alappuzha beach. Wood always yielded to my hands whenever I did my sculpting. Likewise, sand, another nature material, succumbed to me on the beach. Sea gives life and takes it back. So is art for an artist. An artist cannot hold back the work just to himself/herself. Once the work is done, it becomes a part of universe, a part of everyone. Similarly, my work in the sands of Alappuzha was taken away by the sea and I believe that it reached where it should ultimately reach and I am on my way to it. one day I will reach there too!! Just like anyone else in the entire human race. Similar to the carvings on my wooden planks, I carved this art in the sand-an open space- without any boundaries and walls. But the waves wiped away the work after sometime. Some things are meant to be vanished; that is how this world works. Energy needs to be balanced. My grandmother died 8 years ago; still her touch remains in the form of my dresses. Every dress that I get takes me on a rollercoaster of emotions associated with my grandmother. This art project therefore tries to problematize the concepts such as permanence and preservability of a work of art. The waves come and go, new waves come one after the other. As Heraclitus said, “You can’t step into the same river twice”. Changes are inevitable and challenges are a part of life. Taking it as it comes requires a lot of patience which I came to realise through my art. As time passes, people change, they come and go just like the waves. And these shifts purify one’s mind of all the residues of our life. And that’s art in it is most divine form! https://www.instagram.com/p/CZoaSG9MTLk/?utm_medium=copy_link