Chitra Ganesh: Eyes of Time

picture of Eyes of Time. Photographer: Me

Something about seeing a work by an artist you admire and respect and have a personal connection with is different. It is amazing to see what a woman with a cultural and linguistic background similar to mine makes me feel empowered to do more with my work. BTW -->(we are both first generation Americans with parents from South India and we are also Tamil speakers). I was looking forward to seeing this work in person for some time and I was not disappointed. The textures and colors of Chitra's work evoke blips of memories. The dreams, nightmares and musings I had, both as a child and adult come alive when I look at this work. It connects with my own experience in a way that is difficult to articulate. Looking at this work with its bright pinky peach gradient wash in the background coupled with the hair textures and the words written out in hair. These feel like forms to which I can relate they have a kind of warmth I can't explain--it feels almost familiar, like visiting a friend. 
Beyond the kind of emotional response the setting of the work in the Herstory gallery next to the timeline to which I contributed a small portion of facts and research during my time at the Sackler Center was neat. Coupled with the fact that if you turn around from this installation you can see the AMAZING installation of The Dinner Party by Judy Chicago. I have never seen the Dinner Party installed differently, but I can't imagine it any other way. The triangular room adds a stoic reverence to the work that really makes the work stand out.