Gm fam! I'm so incredibly proud 2 have added "We are watching you", by Malaysian phenom @vissyarts to my collection. I've never done a thread before, but there's a first time for everything! I had to try b/c there's too much to say about her art & this piece. Hope this works😬.

Visithra has invented 2 distinct styles - IKARI (いかり) & IKIGAI (いきがい)! The piece I collected is in the Ikari style, which means anger/wrath/exasperation & is a more expressionist style than Ikigai. She says Ikari is inspired, in part, by artists like FN Souza & Basquiat.

She's the only artist I've every gotten to talk to about Souza! If you're not familiar, pls view his "Crucifixion" or "Landscape w/ Black Planet" & u can see tiny bits of the influence in her work. BUT, Vissy's work is distinct b/c of her bold colors, graphics & powerful symbols!

As to "We are watching you", she uses red in Ikari to symbolize dire situations & u can see that the vertical red bar is actually over Malaysia to represent the restrictions and scrutiny they face... Sadly, in her country (& many around the world), art can get artists arrested.

I love the fact that a map of the world is incorporated in this piece, but almost hides in the background, which is like the surveillance the work alludes to... It's in the background of all of our lives, but most people rarely think about it, or (if they do) don't care.

So, Vissy has to be careful. But, as she told me, "Nothing changes if you say nothing." Which is why the cow head in the painting was created. "Moo Moo the one eyed cow" represents ppl who think, "it's never going to happen to me, so I'm just going to not say/do anything."

There are many other symbols in this piece (❤️the paper airplane), and all of her works, but I'll leave the rest up to your interpretation. I'll also let you research the Ikigai side of her art (more spiritual & in a modern Indian style)...

To do so, here's her lynkfire & website:

lynkfire.com/visithra
www.visithra.com/

Finally, a Question... Why was @vissyarts: 1) the 1st Malaysian woman on SR; 2) the top selling Malaysian artist on OS; and 3) mentioned by @CozomoMedici when interviewed by Christie's in February (see link below)??

bit.ly/3KDPxIA

My Answer... because Visithra is supremely talented, has developed her own unique styles, fearlessly pushes boundaries (political & artistic), and is a genuinely wonderful person to talk to about art and life. Thanks for reading fam.❤️🙏❤️