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Rationale
"This exhibition is meant to show the loving and caring nature of motherhood and the growth of the daughter into her individuality."
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Women are the foundations of humanity, and the relationship between a mother and her daughter is sacred. My mother and I have a very strong bond, something that I find special and want to preserve through art. As I begin to prepare for the next phase of my life, I looked at the ways my mother and I have loved and supported each other for the past 17 years. The selection of works includes mediums that I have learned from my mother (watercolor and photography) to mediums I have learned on my own (acrylic paint, digital art, and colored pencil). This exhibition is meant to show the loving and caring nature of motherhood and the growth of the daughter into her individuality. My mother and I will never truly be apart from one another, but the works in this collection are a way for me to take a step back and acknowledge what we have.
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"... my mother can teach me to find the beauty in the world"
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The first piece, entitled “Mother”, is an abstract portrait of my mother. As the opening to the selection, it serves to show my mother as an individual: strong, calm, and caring. A featured motif is that of a diamond, to show my mother’s strength through life. This is followed by a digital painting entitled “God of Creation”. As a homage to motherhood, this piece shows a goddess creating a person. Even though motherhood is a more traditional role of a woman, it is important to acknowledge it through this exhibition. As my mother raised me, she taught me many things. “Chameli” is a photograph of my mother teaching me the traditional Indian craft of making flower garlands. “Chameli” is the first and only photograph in this selection of works, since photography is another craft that my mother taught me. The theme of her teaching is continued in the acrylic piece “Mother Nature”. I often find that my mother can teach me to find the beauty in the world at my lowest points, hence her turning my tears into a waterfall. At the center of the exhibition is a piece entitled “Mother and Child”. This piece intends to capture a different meaning based on the viewer’s relationship with their mother. In the case of the exhibition, it serves to show the shift in focus for the exhibition, from the mother to myself.
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"I accept that it may go against what is traditionally expected of me"
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A personal experience that exemplifies this shift is my mother’s and my relationship with acne, seen in the piece “Scar”. Although a taboo subject, learning about caring for my acne from my mother was something that she and I bonded over. Acne is still something I am very conscious about, but it only helps show my relationship with my self-esteem. Following “Scar” is a piece entitled “Confidence”. This colored pencil piece shows a female figure at the center of attention, embracing her body. Although not explicitly stated, this piece features my own body and represents my eventual success in embracing myself. “Expectations” is a diptych piece showing a younger daughter figure running away from her place beside the mother figure. As I start to discover my individuality, I accept that it may go against what is traditionally expected of me. Finally, the piece entitled “Daughter”, is an abstract self-portrait. As a response to the opening piece, “Mother”, this work shows what I strive to be as an individual: strong, modern, and understanding. The featured motif in this piece is the citrine, to represent my sense of individuality.
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"I want the viewer to be able to relate to these works from their perspectives"
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This collection of works is meant to be seen in a single line, capped by the two abstract portraits, and featuring the larger abstract piece at the center. Since our exhibition is held online this year, I found that a website was the best way to showcase these works. There are an equal amount of works that focus on my mother’s impact on me as well as my own self-discovery because she has guided me my entire life. I want the viewer to be able to relate to these works from their perspectives: although they may not have the same experiences as me, I want them to bring their own experiences while viewing.
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