ARTIST STATEMENT

My colour reduction relief printmaking piece illustrates a woman resembling “Kali Ma”, a Hindu goddess who represents power and destruction. The colours I used in this print were inspired by traditional colours typically used in existing artistic depictions of Kali Ma, and the style of illustration is inspired by retro prints of religious figures in India.

I wanted to emphasize the power of the goddess by surrounding her with the colour red, generally representing passion, anger, and love. Kali Ma is seen as a mother figure. As such, her depicted with her tongue sticking out symbolizes her fire, as well as her sacrifices and her ability to swallow all the evil and darkness that linger in the world. Through her, the earth can be free of these existences. Kali Ma also wears two garlands: the first made from skulls representing the various heads of ego, and the second of hibiscus flowers to represent empowerment.

Women often feel that they need to hold their tongue in society in order not to disrupt or inconvenience the world around them. My conception of this print reflects my hope that women more readily tap into their power and divine feminine energy to unleash the fire within themselves.