Symphony and Oppression 2005-2008
The very representation of love, beauty and strength, Orchids have always fascinated me. In my first series, Symphony of Life, the flower was my Maestro in exploring the relationship between life and tradition while the colours were instruments strung by my heart. Within my search for a sense of belonging in my own culture, my paintings surfaced as a visual and lyrical garden, alive through the juxtaposition of exotic orchids interlocking with traditional batik impressions.
Eventually my exploration grew and rippled into one of femininity, self-esteem and survival. My Maestro became my muse as I celebrate women’s empowerment, their strength to overcome any form of oppression in life and their undeterred resolution to stand yet stronger than before. These ripples grew from my own resoluteness then as a young female new to womanhood. They still grow now, and I hope that they’ll reach out to the audience.
As this series of paintings evolved, Lotuses began to bloom in my “garden”. Growing from the depths of riverbeds, slowly but surely, the exquisite Lotus manages to rise above the water, unstained. This is the rhythm of life as I see it. Accept it, experience it, learn from it, grow from it and you’ll come to enjoy the fruit of it all eventually.
Eventually my exploration grew and rippled into one of femininity, self-esteem and survival. My Maestro became my muse as I celebrate women’s empowerment, their strength to overcome any form of oppression in life and their undeterred resolution to stand yet stronger than before. These ripples grew from my own resoluteness then as a young female new to womanhood. They still grow now, and I hope that they’ll reach out to the audience.
As this series of paintings evolved, Lotuses began to bloom in my “garden”. Growing from the depths of riverbeds, slowly but surely, the exquisite Lotus manages to rise above the water, unstained. This is the rhythm of life as I see it. Accept it, experience it, learn from it, grow from it and you’ll come to enjoy the fruit of it all eventually.