Sarang Sena

‘I am still learning, waiting to see where this path leads me, to see what will become of that, which I create,’ says visual artist Sarang Sena, who began his journey as a photojournalist. A ten-year-old Sarang would spend his time gazing at his father’s travel photographs, utterly fascinated by what each shot would tell him. He was 14 when the camera became an intimate ally. At the age of 18, he became a professional photographer, dabbling in documentary and portraiture. After a few years he decided to go solo, while shifting his focus towards fashion and portraiture. 

Self-taught, his visual narratives are usually born out of how he experiences the world around him and his dreams. His in-depth knowledge of photographic practices dates back to the 1850s, and he wishes to make use of his practice to broaden the horizons of the art and the fashion world. He deconstructs his artistry for us below.

The Process
‘... Isolation is the gift, all the others are a test of your endurance, of how much you really want to do It.’ – Charles Bukowski. Go all the way by Charles Bukowski has inspired me, made me question the definitions of success and failure. It is what has kept me going. There is no set path, honestly. Each project, whether gallery work or commercial, is not the result of a specific process. I have to be inspired, and in order to do that I have developed a way to isolate myself from the noise, post which things happen. 

Reminiscent
When I started working on Reminiscent, I was thinking about the time my father and I realised my hands had grown to be the same size as his. Life took him away! Holding on...I would draw hands repeatedly. Eventually the phrase ‘Holding on…' stuck with me. I would hold his hand while crossing the road but he always pulled his hand away as soon as we had crossed over. He would also say to me, ‘I can’t see but my other senses help me navigate.’ I used this drawing of interlocked hands while pitching for a campaign shoot! That drawing literally paved the way for the Reminiscent project. 

For Reminiscent, I am using a handmade and self-made camera, drawings of paper negatives, wood carvings and prints of images using organic colours. These prints are made on handmade paper derived from old newspapers — the dying print media.

Mirrored
Mirrored happened when during the lockdown, a friend shared her anguish about having gained weight and how she was worried about being judged by people once the pandemic ended. We spoke at length about the standards of beauty that she was judging herself by — if they were truly what she believed in, or were they being imposed on her.

The layered tear-outs of beauty product advertisements are an extension of these standards, set by brands and society — a visual narrative. The mirror is how we perceive ourselves, not from another person’s viewpoint, but our own reflection. But are we blinded towards that reflection, both inwards and outwards, defined by the brands represented by you and me, consumed by you and me?

There are four layers in each photograph; Mirrored is the process of peeling away one layer at a time.

The Pandemic and Beyond
The pandemic has slowed down everything. However, it has also created time! The onus is on me regarding what I make of this time. With the onset of winter I am enjoying my morning chai. I am currently working on a 3D art installation, which incorporates drawing, woodworking, photography and design. I’m excited about it!