Tilak

Original Tilak painting.

I've always been in awe of the tilak symbols that Hindu worshippers mark their foreheads with. They are painted with naturally-coloured paste, and they are the main inspiration behind this painting. The way the thick paste creases over the skin is very satisfying to me. I use found papers in my work combined with thick gouache which picks out any imperfections, thus creating a similar effect. Not only do I adore the simple but striking forms of the tilak, I also love the strength of the natural pigments used to create them. The combination of these juxtaposing elements makes me think of outer space – the way something natural can create a powerful visual show, like a meteorite shower, a shooting star or a lightning storm. 

I have not used a shape related to any particular sect that I'm aware of, but the shape has been influenced by the many different tilak that I've seen in my visits to India. I've created a retro futuristic feel in the painting, an interest in the cultural obsession that I continue to explore in my work.

Original signed painting. Gouache and pencil on medium weight, aged paper. 50 x 50cm.