Medium: Gouache, on Paper
Dimensions: 3 x 15 in
Year: 2021
About the artwork (Artist's note)
“Born in Kerala and raised in Delhi, I have always been fascinated by the intersection of cultures and the nostalgia that accompanies it. Transitioning between languages and cultures came of second nature and I began to contemplate the nuances of my cultural identity. Largely anecdotal, my practice reflects my personal experiences in navigating multiple cultures and explores the ambivalence regarding my cultural identity. I am particularly interested in exploring the distinction between ‘Naadu’ which is hometown in Malayalam and ‘Veedu’ or Home/House and how these two concepts intersect in my own life. I bring in elements from both landscapes- like the Jali patterns from monuments in, and around Delhi and the terracotta roof tiles of Kerala architecture- both rhythmic as well as organic. Inspired by the Persian and Indian miniature tradition, each line is made with much care and precision. With each brushstroke, I seek to weave together the threads of my past and present, creating a tapestry that is at once a reflection of my own journey.
By embracing the complexities of my own cultural heritage, I strive to create art that is both personal and universal. Speaking to the human experience that transcends borders and boundaries. Following an internship with INTACH Bangalore, I realised my fascination for the process of natural degradation. My recent practice construes of this profound appreciation for the ephemeral nature of art and the importance of conservation.”
About the artist
Ganga Narayanan (b.1998, Kannur, Kerala, India) completed her BVA in Painting and MVA in Mural at Maharaja Sayajirao University, Baroda, 2023. Her works have been exhibited in group shows at Gallery 079, Ahmedabad, 2023; Raw Collaborative, Space Studio, 2022; Priyasri Art Gallery, Mumbai, 2022; 4th Edition of Kochi Muziris Students’ Biennale, 2021 and Nasreen Mohamedi Scholarship Show, MSU, Baroda, 2019.
Ganga has been awarded the K. Karunakaran Memorial Scholarship, Kerala Lalitha Kala Akademi, 2023 and Padma Shri Ramgopal Vijayvargiya Samman, Rajasthan Lalit Kala Akademi and Kalavritt, Jaipur in 2021. She has been a grantee for the BICAR Writing Fellowship for Artists, Space Studio, Baroda, 2022 and has worked with IGNCA in collaboration with the Postal Department, Gujarat.
The artist lives and works in Delhi.
