From the creator of the viral body painting photographs
protesting cultural body policing in Kuala Lumpur,
This Body is Mine
A Collage Art Journal Web-Exhibition,
Butterflying The Highway
by Rupa Subramaniam
எப்படி அக்கா? நீங்க அசிங்கமான விஷயத்த கூட அழகா இருக்குன்னு சொல்றீங்க?
I see the prettiest sunset. It is mesmerizing. The loveliest cotton candy pink bursting through the skies. Blends into bright orange. Shades of soft purple tracing in. Gentle waves matching the pace of my breath.
How is this so beautiful? It is painful. To be here - to witness this -and yet, not feel a thing.
Just a few months ago, my art student asked me how can I see beauty in ugliness. Now, I’m oblivious to its magnificence.
I’m afraid to ask the obvious; if a writer ever loses her ability to recognize alphabets, will she ever be able to tell stories again?
Visual Artist Rupa Subramaniam Advocates Indian Culture & Tradition In Malaysia
This interview was first published in Bernama Evening News Channel 502 on Dec 20, 2024.
Exhibition Reviews
-
Do I see things as they are, or do I only see things in relation to my lenses of the world through what I was taught about life, society and my own experiences?
Krish Vells,
Psychotherapist (UK) -
Mesmerizing. Personal yet universal and inclusive-lah! I love it.
Uthaya Sankar SB,
Writer -
Like a garland of jasmine buds - at once an offering and a tribute, to a journey from girl to woman, from hesitance to confidence, and from seeking to finding; to losing, and re-finding.
Allie Li Sin Hil,
Designer -
Unlike many academic resources that can feel sterile and overly clinical, Butterflying The Highway invites visitors into a relatable space bridging the gap between art therapy theories and practical applications.
Dr. Sylvester J. Lim PsyD., CHt., NCAPS, MCMA
Psychologist -
It's a conscious choice to make art that requires slowness and patience to look at, especially in a setting where people spend half a second looking at posts before moving on.
Charis Loke,
Illustrator
It feels like we've come to expect constant advocacy and outspokenness from our artists of underrepresented backgrounds. And I can't help thinking, how tiring this must be; what a relentless burden to bear with your work.
Which is why experiencing Rupa Subramaniam's Butterflying The Highway felt so freeing. The collages and text feel raw, incomplete, tentative and unabashedly personal. I love that the art feels like the claiming of a space, a way to reveal the person behind the artist.
I also love that it does away with what art "should be" and instead makes a case for finding art in the everyday. And most of all, it feels like someone setting a weight down, at least for a few moments, as they seek to rest, stay still and heal.
We could all learn a bit of that, I think.
Sharmilla Ganesan,
Art Critic
Original ideas will not look familiar.
it would make you feel something. And maybe even make you slightly uncomfortable. When coming across something new, it takes a while to digest, so come back another day to see this collection. If this web exhibit doesn’t look like anything you’ve seen, that’s a compliment!
The collage artworks in "Butterflying The Highway" challenge conventional notions of fine art.
They are products of artistic play and observation, not originally intended for public display. Journals are often overlooked in the art world due to their perceived lack of economic value and alignment with traditional art agendas. Yet Sophie Wright says, to take “a peek into someone else’s notebook is a rare pleasure”.
Artist Notes
Slow Down
As you leisurely scroll across the pages of my journal, slow down to discover hidden gems that you might miss at first glance. To fully immerse yourself in this experience, close other distractions and let the world fade away. Perhaps a gentle song, free from words, can accompany your exploration.
Reflection Prompts
Which part left a lasting impression? Elaborate.
How does my vulnerability in my art journal make you feel?
In what ways did you deal with loss?
Malaysian Culture
What makes a piece of art Malaysian?
Where are some of the places mentioned you recognize or, do you have a different experience there?
How does this web format impact your experience compared to a physical show?
Accessibility
How would you describe this exhibition to a blind person?
How do you think the values of this exhibit would work for languages other than English?
If you have any questions or reflections you would like to share,
email: skinandsoul.art@gmail.com