I am a South-Asian visual artist currently based out of Knoxville, Tennessee. My artistic practice spans a
range of media, including painting, video, and sound design. I utilize imagery from South Asian Hinduism
and Islam to explore intricate aspects of the term 'god,' recognizing historical, mnemonic, and emotional
significance. I embrace how visual language can be a method to explore endless possibilities and a
continual quest for understanding.
I use the word 'anarth' as an entrypoint to describe my work. "Anarth" in Sanskrit refers to something
devastating, or nonsensical. It sounds like un-Earth in English, meaning discovery by investigation or
searching.
My work takes the nonsensical found in the definition of Anarth to explore fictional possibilities, religious
rigidity, and fundamental inquiries about the concept of god. Anarth, the nonsensical, is explored
through a fictional tale portrayed in the form of a short film, "Houses on the Game Board Are On Fire." In
this film, a mysterious object descends, introducing a surreal game reminiscent of ancient Indian
traditions. Amidst the chaos, human-shaped pawns navigate the enigmatic rules of religion and game
theory. However, this game culminates in a tie, birthing a singular spiritual sanctuary. Simultaneously,
familiar places of worship vanish, prompting a collective quest for new ways to pray.
My exploration of the concept of god is an ongoing journey characterized by an embrace of doubt and
uncertainty, inspired by John Keats' notion of Negative Capability. While I don't claim to have definitive
answers, I am continually captivated by the idea of god. I undertake this endeavor as a deeply personal
exploration and quest for meaning.
Conceptually, my paintings materialize my ideas, whereas my digital work can dematerialize them. I use
augmented reality, 3D modeling, and film to bring fictitious tales together in digital media. The imagery
Saloni Parekh | Artist Statement
in my work hovers in the foreground over the plain background, like a virtual avatar hovering in video
games. In online virtual worlds, people are often represented by avatars. This term derives from the
Sanskrit word "avatar," which traditionally refers to a Hindu deity's incarnation. I see my work in digital
spaces as a metaphor for the virtualization or "decarnation" of the material concept of god and a
movement from actual to virtual.
I seek to provoke thought on the virtue of religion, which is often overshadowed by greed and political
influence. The rise in religious fanaticism and ethnonationalism accentuates the need for a fresh
approach, prompting a reexamination of subtle concepts and questions such as, what is god in a
contemporary world? I delve into the consistencies in religion while addressing the inconsistencies
contributing to societal divisions in an effort to generate a new visual vocabulary for what god could be.
My work addresses the intersection of religious extremism and politics through the subversion of color
symbolism, challenging Hindu and Islamic influences. For example, traditionally, in India, saffron signifies
Hindus, green represents Muslims, blue symbolizes sacredness in deities, and avoiding black during
festive occasions is often exploited for political propaganda. I question and flow against these ideas,
creating my vocabulary of colors for my work. In my "God is Sound'' installation, the only painted
element—a striking orange door guardian, symbolizes Hindu fanaticism, depicting the unwavering
stance of the temple guard even when the deity moves or is absent, reinforcing the notion of steadfast
adherence to rules and beliefs.
Symbolism and iconography are used in my work as an additional tool to reinterpret the imagery of god.
My exploration of Hindu traditions is a manifestation of sound, space, imagination, and philosophy. I
create opportunities for viewer interaction within and around my artwork, driven by a keen interest in
crafting pieces that offer viewers the chance to experience Hindu-Islamic traditions by inviting them to
sit, bend, kneel, or circumambulate.
Today, in a world that is seeing a further rise of religious fundamentalism, my work questions the
traditional role the word god has played and if there is room to redefine the word god. While I search for
spirituality, divinity, and truth, I am not entirely convinced that the traditional concept of god holds the
answer; my quest continues through the study of religions, arts, sciences, philosophies, and other
disciplines to satisfy my curiosity.
Saloni Parekh | Artist Statement