Artist’s Statement
Soul Goes Solo
Indian jewelry is a world in its own and each piece has its own significance. The multi-religion and multi-cultural aspect of India adds to the variety. The remarkable intricate designs and health benefits associated with their use make them noteworthy. The health benefits were transformed into customs and people have been wearing specific ornaments for centuries without realizing their importance.
Jewelry’s worth is predominantly determined by the price tag it comes with, which is driven by the metal and gems used. More expensive jewelry receives more attention. Great design and low cost is not valued as much. The artworks decouple this tag from the jewelry pieces and bring their designs to forefront. My intention is to give these traditional designs a platform, where they stand on their own and are not an exclamation mark on a beautiful model.
This series is a celebration of jewelry designs on different types of papers. Different types and sizes of paper were used to explore and experiment with magnification. This work is a humble tribute to cultural diversity of India that I love, respect and take pride in. My medium of choice for this body of work is pen and ink, a medium where mistakes create opportunities. Black and white or minimal use of color helps me disassociate the jewelry pieces from the metal and thus the price. The limited pallet also keeps focus on the design, as color can sometimes distract us from the core essence of an object. In jewelry, I view metal as the body and design as the soul !