In Aaryama’s practice, we are introduced to many worlds and their eating cultures and habits via the Traveller– a mystical being of unknown origin who is best described as an intergalactic food blogger and anthropologist. She (the Traveller) collaborates with the Artist persona in constant epistolary form to bring to life the forms and rituals that the Traveller has witnessed in her journeys.
Titled The Feast, this formation of the Traveller’s objects and scroll have been arranged to imply a community of the Nameless planet’s people. It’s a celebratory gathering of the creatures that aims to raise questions about food’s role in understanding identities and society at large . The idea of repetition of the objects in the scroll and as physical forms re-emphasises the ‘coming-to-life and journey of these beings from imagination( or the Traveller’s transmissions) to the real world. This piece attempts to show the Nameless world and its visual library.
The Traveller’s Accounts: The Feast
Earthenware, stoneware, acrylic gouache on canvas and floor
Dimensions variable
2024
The Traveller’s Accounts: self harvest bazaar
Acrylic gouache on canvas
23.32 x 25.40cm
2024
The Traveller’s Accounts: self harvest bazaar II
Acrylic gouache on canvas
23.32 x 25.40cm
2024
The Traveller’s Accounts: platter of patterns
Copper etching on Fabriano coldpress paper
50.1 x 33.5cm
2024, Edition of 13
The Traveller’s Accounts: portal way
Copper etching on Fabriano coldpress paper
50.1 x 33.5cm
2024, Edition of 13
The Traveller’s Accounts: Self II (miniature)
Assemblage, earthenware, stoneware
Dimensions variable
2024
Aaryama Somayaji
Aaryama Somayaji is interested in showcasing stories about food and its socio-political nature in terms of the collective cultural existence of humans. Her work stems from her lived experiences in kitchens, both figurative and metaphorical. In her research she uses techniques of world building from epic fantasy literature and anthropological studies of food movements, histories and forms of consumption. She investigates our relationship with food and how it forms a large aspect of our social identity.
Her preferred media includes ceramic, painting with inks and acrylics, copper etching, paper and fabric. She uses stories woven together in layers and complex logic systems to create other personas to create worlds within worlds to make her work relatable in a global context.
Aaryama Somayaji is an artist and storyteller based in Singapore. Raised in India, trained in visual communication from the National Institute of Design she uses all the tools from her career in book illustration and creative direction in her studio practice and artistic research.
More about the Traveller: https://thetravellersaccounts.wordpress.com/
Instagram: @highonmangoes