Virdh
2017 (Detail)
Acrylic on canvas
640 x 457 cm.
The word ‘virdh’ refers to repetition of a certain incantation – a practice that exists in many religions – which Raza has employed in her works through repetition of Islamic motifs and the letter, Alif. According to Raza’s artist statement, the work is ‘based on spirituality, meditation and Sufism’ as is evident in her acrylic-on-canvas paintings.
The pattern of the works appears to be similar – the backgrounds depict repetitive Islamic motifs, while the centre is a cluster of the Arabic alphabet, Alif, in squares. While the backgrounds are silkscreen prints, the clusters of Alifs have been painted in acrylic by the artist. With a touch of abstract, the artist has beautifully employed the Alifs as symbols of God. In almost all the works, the clusters of the alphabet are found in the centre, with other Islamic motifs, which are repetitive, surrounding it.