Saikia Sisters

A polyptych comprising of 16 panels, inspired by my British Indian nieces. A celebration of their combined Anglo-Indian heritage and the vast cultural wealth that brings them.

The panels can be hung as one piece (2.4x2.4m). Equally the panels are designed to work both as 2 Octaptychs (each 1.2 x 2.4m) - 8 panels for each child, ‘JemimaMeenakshi’ & ‘AgathaAnoushka’, or 4 quadriptychs (1.2 x 1.2m) ‘Jemima’, Meenakshi’ ‘Agatha’ & ‘Anoushka’.

Jemima is lively, mischievous even, a little messy and wild. Jemima’s colours are chosen for their whimsical nature, while the colours in Meenakshi become richer, and as with Indian culture, are soaked with symbolism. The use of indigo is quite deliberate. This is the colour that I associate with intuition and perception, mixed with purple the colour of imagination and spirituality, and gold to wish her success.

Agatha is calmer than her older sister. The colours here become more peaceful. Blue/ green for new birth, new beginnings and happiness, while the (deep) turquoise in Anoushka is used to represent clarity of thought, and silver due to its association with illumination and reflection.

 Gifted to my sister Sue on her 40th birthday

Sept 2016

©Kat