In Straining, terracotta dwarf figures are compressed and embedded within piles of bricks. The use of bricks as a metaphor for workers adds a powerful layer of meaning to the installation. Bricks, fundamental to construction yet individually overlooked, represent the laborers and lower classes who are essential to building and sustaining society but are often treated as anonymous, replaceable parts of a larger structure. Each brick symbolizes the contribution of an individual worker. This fusion speaks to the entrapment of the laboring class within rigid social hierarchies, where their contributions are fundamental but often invisible, their own lives indistinguishable from the structures they support. This work is a powerful metaphor for the erasure of individual identities within oppressive systems, where workers are not merely supporters but become a structural part of the social edifice.
Size: 48 X 50 X 50 inches
Meet the Artist
The ideas of my current art practices are based on the dwarves' sculptures of Indian temple architecture. Although these figures are carved playful (in their expression and cute appeal), I feel a kind of forced compression in them.
Examining the portrayal of dwarf figures as marginalized individuals in ancient Indian art and drawing parallels with contemporary issues of labor rights and social inequality, my work aims to connect the symbolism and craftsmanship of traditional temple carvings with the realities of modern-day architecture and the spite of laborers. The issue laborers in India is deeply intertwined with Historical, Economic, and Social dynamics.
These dwarfs are often portrayed as holding up structures, such as beams or platforms, symbolizing their role in supporting the divine or cosmic order. This symbolic burden can be seen as a reflection of their status in the social hierarchy― bearing the weight of society, much like the lower castes in the human social order.
The depiction of dwarfs can be interpreted as a symbol of the marginalized and subjugated classes in society. Just as these figures are depicted as supporting or carrying the weight of temple structures; Marginalized groups, particularly lower castes have historically been burdened with the most laborious and menial tasks in society.
I feel we must acknowledge the larger contribution of them as a workforce and accept their identity of importance achieving equality which involves a comprehensive approach that addresses economic, social and legal factors. Promoting equality is not only a matter of social justice but also contributes to a more productive and harmonious society
Artwork Specs
| Size | 48 X 50 X 50 inches |
|---|---|
| Medium | Fired Terracotta and Bricks |
| Artwork Care | Do not wash |
| Packaging Details | Box packing, Bubble wrap |
