Created by
Poorvaja
"The lion city" by Poorvaja Seetharam in Singapore
"The lion city"
My work was inspired by the strength and resilience of the country during challenging times. The combined forces of helping hands from all walks of life create a colorful and comfortable place for their people. The piece is framed by the nation’s flower, the orchid, along with patterns of Malaysian batik.
Taking inspiration from the renowned “Creation of Adam” by Michelangelo, I pieced together different elements while enhancing the musculature of the two Merlion Adams.
The Merlions embody the spirit of Singapore, the fish body represents Singapore’s origin of being a fishing village, then known as “Temasek”, meaning sea town in Javanese. The lion head represents the country’s name, the “lion city”. The boat maneuvers from one Adam to another amidst the turbulent waves, personifying the unfortunate year that 2020 has been. The boat, however, takes charge of the sea and reaches its destination. The piece expresses gratitude for the heroic figures that navigated the boat towards its destination, implying that the waves will slowly ripple back to its tranquility.
Meet the Artist
Singapore, SingaporeMy interest for painting grew when I was about 14 years old, when I came across books about Frida Kahlo, Amrita Sher Gil and the Guerrilla Girls. Thats when I understood that art isn't just a practice of creativity but also a medium of narration. I then realised that this is what I want to do. Narrate stories of the people, and shed light on the atrocities of society. As an artist my purpose is to give a voice to the the unheard voices of India. Growing up in an Indian household taught me many things, and I was raised in an environment of influential figures. I can proudly say that the household helpers, the fruit and flower vendors and the common people I meet on a day to day basis taught me more about life than school ever did. My artistic style is influenced by my cultural background and heritage, and I use that to make a statement in my artworks. I am a frequent participant in community based projects and focus on providing a platform for the people to inspire through their stories. My works revolve around the themes of culture and femininity. I work with various mediums such as Painting, sculpting, installations and works that involve projections.
I look forward to working with different people and their ideas.
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