ANJU’s two-part series, “THIS IS ___” and “I Am Not Really Sure Who I Am Anymore” depicts her frustrations in feeling disconnected with her body and senses. As I look closer at each work, filled with psychedelic colours and rough lines, she conveys her complex journey in isolation where she is struggling to love and be herself. Her heart-wrenching written words give a deeper insight into her work. Her words for “I Am Not Really Sure Who I Am Anymore” -
"Even though I am not entirely comfortable with myself, this is me existing truthfully. Maybe I can be so many other things, a better person perhaps, but right now I am just my body. I do know that through this struggle, I will find an understanding of myself, but right now this is me.” – hit me hard emotionally because she accepts her failure while keeping herself from falling apart. However, I believe that going through this inner battle makes her stronger.
Other works which intrigued me were
Jun Kitazawa’s “DUAL WINDOW” and Andita Purnama Sari Putri’s “Cloud Number 11”. The beautifully designed windows that show imagined landscapes of Japan and Indonesia in “DUAL WINDOW” express our fond pre-COVID travel memories and the longing to travel during the pandemic. “Cloud Number 11” sheds light on the women facing cold and harsh societal pressures of being a perfect woman.
With this exhibition, Ranerrim and Projek Rabak have managed to select visual artworks with unique self-portrait styles that are compelling and relatable.They provide visitors with a challenging and thought-provoking perspective. The experience of viewing art on our screens creates accessibility for the artists and visitors around the world, which enables us to realise universal expressions and thoughts. Seeing art in a connected digital space allows us to widen our perspectives on local and global issues that matter for individuals and communities.
The question remains, "Am I alone?".
The
“Am I Alone?” virtual art exhibition was held from 3 January - 3 February 2021.