Sushoma Gafur
Macquarie Fields High School
AMAR KOTHA (HER/MY STORY)
Painting
Oil on Canvas
Amar Kotha honours women who live at the edge of society and continue the fight for dignity and respect, yet are rarely ever placed within the world’s limelight. Society has failed to recognise the bravery and strength that women in the South Asian region maintain, despite the adversity they face. My body of work pays tribute to the mothers, sisters and daughters who continue to endure the many prescribed roles within their society, with the intent of defying the limited image of fragility that surrounds their femininity. Painting with oils represents the powerful yet nurturing presence that women have.
My artmaking practice has been influenced by the study and interpretation of the following artists: Devon Rodriguez, Loribelle Spirovski, Agnes Grochulska, Andrew Tischler, GMB Akash, Vincent van Gogh.
Marker's Commentary
There is compressed energy in this arresting portrait series depicting four young women wearing headscarfs. The woman stare, directly at the viewer with intensity, engagement and more than a hint of challenge. Laughing, pensive, solemn and demure, each portrait has an individual presence, building its own identity, character and strength through vibrant colour and expression. Themes of origin, religion, cultural acceptance and expectations are explored. Bold coloured fabrics in lurid cerise, olive, royal purple and emerald-green are swathed as functional head scarfs and embellish the faces of these young women enhancing each lavish portrait. Ultimately, the beautiful fabrics become a mode of outward self-expression and an opportunity for their owner’s creativity. Slight stylisation of facial features are well supported with purposeful painting showing considerable skill in rendering the flawless skin and in the tonal gradation. The shallow depth draws the viewer’s attention to the women themselves and their physicality. Amar Kotha (My/Her Story) harnesses ideas associated with social and cultural associations and understanding while challenging cultural and gendered pre-conceptions.