ARTIST STATEMENT
I explored the theme of bodily adornment in South Asian cultures through an illustration series linked by a set of AR facial filters. I focused on facial beauty and adornment styles relating to jewelry, henna/tattoos, and hairstyling. Through the incorporation of traditional motifs and calligraphy, I wanted to express the narrative of “the old in the new”. My concept is divided into the sun (سورج) and moon (چاند) which represent the old and the new representations of adornment. For some, the meaning of decorating one’s body is influenced by personal experiences and memories while others are led by historical events and traditional practices carried through generations. The mixture of the two is what makes up the culture of South Asian adornment today.
