#art writer

[prism-garden]

Prism Gardens - a conceptual writing project

I haven't typed in an online blog post in probably, 10 years. I've typed emails, project proposals, cover letters, grants, but never just to type. I already feel good. It's nice to have the fingers flow for just pure expression and not for some reason to ask for a job or money. I write in my journals of course, but after a few pages it does get tiresome.

I wanted a place to talk about my process for making art, sharing my conceptual ideas, collaborations, thoughts on art I'm seeing and how it relates to my life. I suppose this place would be purely for me, but I won't have it be private in case there are people out there actually interested in those things, - in written form, atleast. Anyone can look at a tweet or instagram post/reel - does anyone read blogs anymore? Does anyone WRITE in blogs anymore? I'm about 20 years too late, I fear. Alas.

Prism Gardens.

As a multimedia light artist, which I fondly and loftily refer to myself, I use prisms in my work. My photographic work, my installation work, it's a big part of my practice. I guess I can say it's a relevant and consistent motif. Prisms perfectly encapsulate light, displaying refraction. Looking through them almost gives the eyes a new view of reality - distorting it, adding facets and layers in it's kaleidoscopic nature. The prism represents my approach to art making. Not only do I play with light and discover its capabilities, I would also say I distort, bend, offer and alter different realities through portals, dreamscapes, memories.

And that's just one prism! We're talking gardens, now. We're talking a space for many of these magical objects to flourish, display dazzling scenes of light while sharing doors into new worlds of inspiration, thought, and innovation.

I'm not sure this blog will reflect such magnificence, but it will certainly be an outlet for the process of it all. And the process isn't just for making art, but teaching, curating, and collaborating - things that all make up who I am as a creator, educator, curator, etc. (lover, poet, magician, scientist, etc...)

I think writing about my process in depth will help me understand myself more as an artist, my contribution to society, my goals and dreams; it will serve as a manifestation tool.

At the very least, it will have me be off my phone, so I'm already winning.

[shreyaajmani]

Jeffrey Deitch's "Wonder Women"

Wonder Women, Jeffrey Deitch’s trailblazing show, is now on display at their Los Angeles gallery on 925 N. Orange Drive till October 22, 2022. Kathy Huang, the curator of the show, also serves as Managing Director, Art Advisory and Special Projects at Jeffrey Deitch. The exhibition was first presented in New York in May 2022 and featured thirty Asian American, diasporic, and non-binary artists displaying themes of wonder, self, and identity through figuration. The expanded version of the show features forty artists.

Excerpt from Mash.

Text by Shreya Ajmani

Work by Sahana Ramakrishnan. Photo by Joshua White (@joshuawhitephotography)

[bluemoonroseart]

Art History 27/10/2020

In my opinion, the Singh Twins are two of the most poignant contemporary artists in the world, echoing the world around them in a unique yet accessible fusion of cultures and time periods. ‘NHS V COVID-19: Fighting On Two Fronts’ is tackling ethical and political subject matter in a way that, like so much of their work, is deeply satirical. The humour juxtaposes the severity of their message, disguising the hidden significance of motifs and symbolism from a distance.

I think that they use the offbeat combination of egg tempera and digital art very skilfully. To me the way that the tempera lends itself to the piece is that it makes for precision and little blending, and the outcome is bold and vibrant, calling more attention towards it than a muted colour palette would have. It dries up and goes off as it is mixed with egg white, so small areas would have to be painted at a time, implying how much they care about the underlying current affairs that their work is inspired by.

Contrast, second to the blinding narratives, is what stands out to me about them. The mix of the historic painting technique and modern technology is one, but there are a myriad of examples throughout the painting. Their controversial and very intelligent appropriation of the familiar, traditional English imagery of St. George slaying the dragon giving a totally new and current meaning. 

In my opinion the reference to the historic practise of illuminated lettering shows wisdom, because it was traditionally done by monks, who were the first to read and write. It highlights the fact that the message that they’re putting across is the intellectual sense, and makes it seem like a piece of historical weight. 

One of the aspects that is central to the whole composition is Boris Johnson on the back of the horse, dressed as a clown, and stabbing an NHS nurse in the back. His size is insignificant compared to her, like classic religious paintings where there is a hierarchy of importance reflected by the size of the figures. I think that the symbolism of him stabbing her shows the way in which they haven’t been given a pay rise, despite the superficial clapping that everybody took part in. 

I love that the woman representing the whole of the NHS is an ethic minority, linking to their own glowing heritage and cutting through the stereotypical archetype. She has taken the place of the saint in the artwork that this is referencing, which I think is very fitting as after all it’s the nurses who are on the frontlines dealing with the pandemic. 

Every little detail is so thought-provoking, and when it comes to sharing a message through their own post-modern, satirical style, I think that they do this very successfully. 

Unknown. (2020). Artwork. Available: https://www.singhtwins.co.uk/. Last accessed 31st Jan 2021.

[kolajmag]

Kolaj Fest New Orleans is a multi-day festival and symposium July 10-14, 2019. Our mission is to create a platform that allows us to explore critical issues around collage (how it is curated and presented, its role in contemporary art, and the tensions between collage as a medium, a genre, and a phenomenon).

Our goal is to create an event that attracts a variety of people working in various capacities, such as art professionals at museums, galleries, and centers as well as academics, writers, and artists. The general public will be invited to join us for gallery visits, evening presentations, and collage making.

The Call for Papers and the Call for Artists & Projects is how you tell us that you would like to take on a presenting role at Kolaj Fest New Orleans.

The program at Kolaj Fest will be a unique experience. Our aim is to breakdown hierarchy and foster dialogue among art professionals working in a variety of capacities. To that end, the editorial staff of the magazine will work with presenters to craft a program.

KOLAJ FEST NEW ORLEANS WEBSITE

[hydeordie]

Shared with Dropbox

Check this out art writers! 

[shreyaajmani]

Molding Our Story with Misha Japanwala

Shreya Ajmani: What would you like to say to aspiring South Asian artists?

Misha Japanwala: There is a need for you to express yourself and put yourself out there. I think it’s important to understand that our experience is valid and our work is necessary. 

Excerpt from Misha Japanwala’s Interview on Art She Says.

Text by Shreya Ajmani

Photograph by Zayira Ray

[acrylicalchemy]

I updated my artist resume today...for the very last time

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