Yale-NUS student exhibits art in Budapest

Over the summer, Aarti Meyappan Pillai (Class of 2024) was selected as a young artist in residence at Art Quarter Budapest (AQB), an independent art centre in Budapest, Hungary. During her residency at AQB, Aarti produced two projects: Kannagi, as part of a group show at the festival Renaissance, and body~sea, her first solo exhibition.

AQB functions as an exhibition space for contemporary art and also offers residential options for artists to develop their craft. Aarti shared how AQB was committed to the possibility of creative imagination in creating change and educating the public – two causes close to her heart.

Aarti’s typical day at the residency started with individual practice and ideation in the studio before having discussions and conversations with fellow residents.

Aarti shared, “I got to meet so many curious and amazing artists who were incredibly innovative in their conceptual knowledge and creative approaches, even in their art making technologies. In addition, I gained exposure to the art scene and community in Budapest – I attended so many openings, gallery visits, and even presented my work to the local community. We even got to meet and learn from the curators at the Ludwig Museum, a local gallery.”

Kannagi at the Renaissance festival in Budapest, Hungary. Image provided by Aarti Meyappan Pillai.

Aarti’s first piece, Kannagi, is a sculptural installation which includes the use of light and a soundscape. Aarti took inspiration from the story of Silapathikaram, a South Indian folk tale of feminine virtue and love, to pay homage to the powerful feminine figures in Aarti’s life.  Aarti shared, “I wanted to create a piece which reflected a new strand that I have been exploring in my practice: the feminine. [Kannagi is] for my mother and aunts whose nimble fingers – gentle and precise – braided my hair.”

A few of the artworks in body~sea. Images provided by Aarti Meyappan Pillai.

Aarti’s second work, body~sea, is a digital piece exploring ideas about the human body as it relates to the ocean. In this piece, Aarti illustrates the profound connection humans have with the living world. She explains that her work is an attempt to reconceptualise conventional perceptions of the human body by setting it in relation to the living beings that inhabit the depths of the sea.

“In the realm of body~sea, the boundaries between the human form and the ocean are blurred in a bid to consider the tethered connections between the human form and oceanic elements such as coral, shell and sea glass,” Aarti shared.

Aarti at her solo exhibition at AQB in Budapest, Hungary. Image provided by Aarti Meyappan Pillai.

With her experience in Budapest, Aarti shared how she was able to grow as an artist while finding a community away from home. The experience also allowed Aarti to step out of her usual artistic practice by producing art related to the human form in body~sea.

She said, “Making art during my residency was a very loving process – from the new friends I made who helped hang posters advertising my exhibition around the city, to the people I went to for art supplies and printing, and the visitors who came to see my art.”

Aarti credits her academic experience at Yale-NUS College for helping her refine her artistic skills and mature as an artist. She said, “I have learnt so much from my professors, whether it be learning about installation art from Assistant Professor of Humanities (Visual Art) James Jack, or taking a class on “Art Studio Critique and Research” with Lecturer of Humanities (Visual Arts) Dr Yanyun Chen. I also did a learning trip last summer with Instructor Tom White on photography and the environment which was really amazing!”

“Above all, I really appreciate the encouragement from my professors in the Arts and Humanities department. They’re always supportive when I tell them about an idea or dream. When I need someone to believe in me, I can turn to them,” she reflected.

When asked about her plans for the future, Aarti shared that she is committed to making and involving the community in more of her work. She also hopes to continue tackling issues of environmental justice and nature.