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Rings
I want this artwork to stand as a silent sentinel to the passage of time and the profundity of human experiences. My painting, titled “Rings”, deceptively simple at first glance—a series of circular lines, a cut scene of something infinite. Resembling the cross-section of a cut tree. Venturing closer, it is a journey through the concentric rings of life, time, and the depths of human emotion. I used multiple mediums to convey the complexities of existence. The very inner rings of the circle, light and unmarred, uniform and uninterrupted, depicted the innocence of youth. A nod to the days when life was but a budding promise, unburdened by the weight of experience. Moving outward, the rings grow thicker and disorganised, each one etched with the scars of trials and tribulations. These lines speak of the struggles that have shaped me, the moments of joy, and the inevitable sorrows. Each ring to capturing the essence of life’s unpredictable journey—births, losses, movement and growth. Some lines where I have used blue pigment mixed with charcoal are jagged, turbulent, and darker. Representing the deepest grief and pain. Despite the heavy emotion embedded into the linen, I found solace in the reminder that, like the rings of a tree, life’s experiences shape and define us, making us stronger and more resilient with each passing year. I was also inspired by Kintsugi, an ancient Japanese art of mending broken objects and ceramics with gold. Hence the use of gold throughout my piece. The concept of Kintsugi is that when you care for damage in a tender and impactful way, it can be used as an opportunity to grow and evolve. Damage doesn’t mean something is inherently broken. We live in a culture that tends to hide flaws, vulnerabilities and ugly history rather than acknowledging wounds and imperfections as beauty and pivotal points of learning and beauty.
