66 inch x 48 inch
Acrylic , Transfers, and Oils on Canvas
Amber Arifeen's art practice is deeply rooted in the formal exploration of environmental spaces. Her earlier works, which focused on interior spaces and architectural facades, are now transitioning towards landscapes and symbolism. The surge of recollections has led the artist to forge emotive connections, moving from externalised realisations to introspective reflections on the experience of womanhood. Building on her solo traveller past, she galvanizes the confrontational nature of female autonomy against societal pressures to restrict women. The visual commentary is performative, using her body as a symbolic intervention, accompanied by news clippings on violence against females. The artist enters the painting scene, remaining in the foreground, declaring her feminist manifesto as a portrait of resilience and female endurance.
Arifeen's artistic approach extends beyond conventional boundaries, incorporating vivid and imaginative colours into a unique, deeply personal palette. In her earlier uninhabited landscape paintings, one could sense the world through the artist's eyes. A transformative shift is evident in her recent work, inviting viewers to witness her presence within vibrant realms. The rich and evocative colours create a distinctive and intimate lens, mirroring the artist's singular perspective. No longer a distant observer, Arifeen beckons the audience to enter her world, not just to observe but to become companions, echoing the immersive nature of the Tarot. In this evolution, Arifeen becomes a guide, encouraging viewers to fully immerse themselves in the environment she has crafted.
The use of her body as a performative element takes on new significance. Coupled with symbolic interventions like news clippings portraying violence against women, her art becomes a profound commentary aligning with the Tarot's capacity to weave narrative, life philosophy, and environmental context. It transcends visual representation, delving into a realm where art is a powerful exploration of life's circumstances, emotions, and the philosophical journey undertaken by both artist and viewer.
In Arifeen's works, the female form emerges as a powerful presence, transcending traditional portrayals. Her interaction with nature becomes a profound experience, akin to witnessing the world at its moment of creation. In this realm, serenity prevails, untouched by the harsh realities of violence and societal structures. The female figure symbolises unbridled freedom, shedding societal identifiers, even clothing, to embrace her true self amidst a wild and untamed landscape.
Arifeen's artistic exploration manifests through dynamic poses, each a testament to the uninhibited joy of life. From reaching out to pluck fruit from trees to resting by the riverbank, dipping her feet into the water, and exploring forests alone at night, these scenes narrate fearless exploration and a rejection of societal conventions. Inhabiting the space becomes a testimony to the desire for a life beyond ideological constraints, a dreamlike world free from societal norms. The female form becomes a manifestation of the Earth's vitality and an active participant in the interconnected rhythms of nature.
While the world she creates is dreamy and vast, the colours chosen carry an ominous undertone. A palpable sense of danger and calamity pervades the environment, yet the depicted body remains calm and resilient. Landscapes are delineated with heavy forms of colour, separated by bold strokes, creating a visual dichotomy. The artist's touch, evident in the detailing of fruits, mossy green pastures, and the soothing bends of the river over stones, forms pockets of serenity amid the turbulent backdrop. The Earth, in the Gaia philosophy, is seen as capable of self-regulation and healing in response to disturbances. Similarly, the depicted female figure in the midst of vibrant yet ominous landscapes may symbolise the enduring and transformative nature of the feminine spirit.
The scale of these muralistic paintings is larger than life, and the depicted body serves as a gateway between conscious and unconscious realms. It becomes a bridge, inviting viewers to enter the landscapes crafted by the artist—a refuge away from the grief and strife induced by the hostile environment the female experience often entails in our society. Through these evocative paintings, Arifeen constructs a realm that offers solace and liberation, challenging societal norms and providing a canvas for the untamed spirit of the feminine to thrive.
44 inch x 54 inch
Acrylic , Transfers, and Oils on Canvas
66 inch x 48 inch
Acrylic , Transfers, and Oils on Canvas
44 inch x 54 inch
Acrylic , Transfers, and Oils on Canvas
66 inch x 48 inch
Acrylic , Transfers, and Oils on Canvas
44 inch x 54 inch
Acrylic , Transfers, and Oils on Canvas
72 inch x 48 inch
Acrylic , Transfers, and Oils on Canvas
48 inch x 48 inch
Acrylic , Transfers, and Oils on Canvas
44 inch x 54 inch
Acrylic, Transfers, and Oils on Canvas
44 inch x 54 inch
Acrylic , Transfers, and Oils on Canvas
48 inch x 38 inch
Acrylic , Transfers, and Oils on Canvas
48 inch x 38 inch
Acrylic , Transfers, and Oils on Canvas
26 inch x 23 inch
Acrylic , Transfers, and Oils on Canvas
36 inch x 30 inch
Acrylic and Oils on Canvas
36 inch x 30 inch
Acrylic and Oils on Canvas
36 inch x 30 inch
Acrylic and Oils on Canvas