MANJARI SHARMA | ONE PICTURE BOOK TWO #14 : DARSHAN

Publisher's Description

Darshan is a series of photographically recreated, classical images of Hindu Gods and Goddesses that are pivotal to mythological stories in Hinduism. Most commonly used in the context of Hindu worship, Darshan is a sanskrit word that means “apparition” or a “glimpse.”

“Having left a ritual-driven community in India, my move to the U.S. precipitated an enormous cultural shift. It was this cultural paralysis that motivated me to use my one medium of worship – the camera – to study, construct and deconstruct the mythologies of my land. The goal was to turn multidimensional memories of sculptures and ornamental paintings of Hindu Gods, into two-dimensional photographs. For centuries, the way that we have experienced darshans is via laying gaze upon a molded figure, a carved statue or an illustration that represents a likeness to avatars described in Hindu scripture. This series of images invites the viewer to consider a photograph as means of spiritual engagement.” — Manjari Sharma

Born and raised in Mumbai, India, Manjari Sharma makes work that is rooted in portraiture addressing the issues of identity, multiculturalism, and personal mythology. Manjari's work has been recognized, awarded, published and exhibited internationally.

Darshan is limited to 500 numbered copies, each including a 175 mm x 125 mm original print that has been signed by the artist.