Sujata Tibrewala, Current Artist Residence in Residence LFA Chicago Comments on the Dissidence Issues Plaguing India through her body of work ‘The Conformance Mold’
Cupertino, California (PRWEB) March 01, 2016 -- A series of powerful works, revolving around the theme of consent and dissent, self-expression and suppression, form the subject matter of artist Sujata Tibrewala’s works currently on display at her studio located in Cupertino, California. Tibrewala who is the current artist in residence at the Life Force Art Centre, Belmont Chicago has aptly titled her body of work ‘The Conformance Mold.’ The select mixed media works draw heavily from the ongoing antagonism reflected presently in the urban Indian context. The artist looks objectively into an ethnoscape gradually digressing into a unit, which seeks to do away with the contrasts and commands a singularity. Talking about her works, Tibrewala says, “I have always known India as a place that celebrates the diversity. And this diversity is not only of cultures, colors and languages but also of thoughts. I have been disturbed by some of the incidents in my homeland. The recent events, in Jawahar Lal Nehru University, Delhi, where students held discordant views should have been dealt more sensitively and discussed objectively in a forum instead of coming out heavily on students. Another example of increasing intolerance is Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan’s harmless statement about the ongoing intolerance in the country which was met with a sinister hostility unprecedented before.” As the series moves on, the artworks, almost metaphorically seek a logical escape from the quandary. The works take a metaphysical and philosophical approach towards a scenario, where ironically even in the urbane parts of India, every divergent view and idea, instead of being explored or discussed is objected upon. The artist fears, that this mindset has the dangerous proposition of reshaping an entire notion of human expression.
Tibrewala, who practices her art form, in a distant land, away from her home country, India, says, “Curiously, when you view the problems erupting in a place you hold so dearly, from a distance, the feeling of helplessness becomes more acute. Through my works, I aim to turn this helplessness into a relentless strength and start an honest dialogue.”
A watercolor on paper, work entitled, ‘Conformance’ takes a microscopic view into the human anatomy. The artist tries to solve the riddle, if it is the atoms that make a human or the human in atoms that compel us to follow a streamlined path. Another acrylic on canvas work titled ‘Oppression’ looks at the cycle of domination, where the strong commands the weak.
The artist who is known for her usage of blazing, brilliant colors, coats her canvas in somber, deep hues in some of the works, almost synchronizing with the mood of the moment. However, there is an occasional burst of flaming reds and oranges, instilling hope and faith, alongside displaying the pent up positive energy of the Indian youth.
Some of the artworks done by Tibrewala in the recent past, depicting subjugation and abstention find relevance even today. The artist sees it as an urgent reminder for us to act and stop this strategic maneuver before it becomes impenetrable.
About the Artist:
Sujata Tibrewala, a self-taught artist come engineer remarkably embodies the indomitable spirit of human existence through her works. Her works center around the theme of eco-feminism. She has exhibited her artworks in some of the most reputed venues around the globe such as University of Illinois, Chicago, Raw San Jose, Parallax Art Fair London, the Regional Commission of Arts St Louis, Life Force Arts Chicago, Mindworks Gallery Chesterfield, St. Louis Artists' Guild, Chesterfield Arts, Art World Association, Women's Caucus for the Arts, MySLART and Lalit Kala Academy, Delhi.
She moved to the USA in 2010 from India and practices her art form at the Bay Area, CA, where she resides presently.
Sujata Tiberwala, Pratibimba, http://www.pratibimba.in, +1 9018713008, [email protected]
Share this article