Afrogalaxy, Enamel on Paper, 96″X104″ 2007
There are millions of ways to tell your stories, to carve out the meaning of your existence in this lifetime. Mequitta Ahuja’s work is a fascinating blend of storytelling and painting. In her own words:
I refer to my ongoing project as Automythography. A variation of author Audre Lorde’s 1982 coined term, Automythography combines history, myth and personal narrative. My process begins with private performances in front of the camera. Through both inward and outward gaze, posture and dress, I position myself as agent of my own depiction. I document these performances using a remote shutter control and use the resulting photographs as non-fictional source material. Through preliminary drawings, I add invented elements. The resulting self-portraits embody a means of self-invention and creative self-sufficiency.
My jaw literally dropped when I found her work through Bianca’s tumblr called beauty in the small.
Click through each image to find out more about the artist. Support Mequitta Ahuja by spreading the word!
Just AFROlicious and a nice piece of art
excactly
Her work is AMAZING to see in person. That second drawing is hanging at the National Portrait Gallery and it is absolutely tremendous work. Here's an interview with her from the NPG: http://www.portraitcompetition.si.edu/artist/mequ...
thanks, Danielle! I can't wait to see her work up close.