Art of Adornment

About

This exhibition showcases a series of acrylic paintings exploring the notion of Indian adornment. Much of its historical significance has been lost. At its core, Indian adornment is a visual expression of social identity. The paintings within this exhibition aim to document this through the portrayal of Indian women, exploring the cultural and historical meaning behind traditional accessories. Focussing on women allows the artist to explore the relationship between delicate ornament and the power of self-expression.

The artist seeks to make this tangible through the strong use of color, pattern, and texture. Through Daya’s work, the artist presents adornment in a way that transcends its traditional position as attire used to enhance the beauty of the wearer. The conspicuous placement of adornment in the work reveals its inherent complexity, namely: the role adornment plays in the forming of cultural identity, the display of creativity and spirituality, as an indicator of health or even belonging, and ultimately, a tool for self-expression.