Frith Street Gallery – Dayanita Sing

When I first look at the work, the darkness and the lighting in the image draws me in. The contrast is strong but subtle at the same time because of the soft shadows and reflection created in the image. As I keep looking at Singhs’ work, I noticed raw edges that was near seamless, realising that it’s actually a collage of  photographs she has taken. The components was put together so harmoniously that it looked like an actual interior image of the building/house. Almost surreal-like as Singh is radically creating a space/scene. The collages are also linear that gives an architectural and minimalism element to her work. The collages, as a whole, is empty in terms of objects/person. Though it does make you focus on the finer details of the image. For example, the lines, shadows, light and texture that fills up the space.

Furthermore, Singh does not use much outdoor scenes – not even through the window. In this particular image, you see a Japanese style interior with the sliding door and wooden interior with shadows coming from outside; that seem to resemble bunches of leaves on a tree. However, as your eyes move to the window, rather than seeing a natural scenery, an industrial cemented wall blocks the view. The fact that you do not see any natural habitat or outdoor scenery, implies loneliness and isolation. Suggesting a disconnect from the outside world – perhaps reflecting the artists’ emotion.