retrograde

Illustrations by Sanié Bokhari

A series of drawings that exist within boundaries and borders. Created in confinement, the images evoke a longing for a simpler time through imagery of classic South Asian cinema and traditional Mughal miniature paintings; while grappling with the modern human condition in light of a pandemic.

This highlighted what seems to be a shift in our definitions of ‘First World’ and ‘Third World’. Through these drawings, I work to illustrate some of these disparities that seem to arise through the innocuous process of globalization. The current socio-political climate of the south is gradually becoming one that questions conventions and reconstructs traditional mindsets; navigating these shifts as a woman has become as critical as ever.

This shift is compounded by the crumbling western hemisphere that is rife with political unrest ignited by brazen and outspoken right wing points of view. My drawings are an attempt to make sense of these two disparate worlds, working within these intersections; with the hope of pushing this discourse further.

The images represent the precarious nature of traversing in and out of gendered roles. Allowing the viewer to understand the female character as a protagonist rather than a monolithic being. Through its various forms, the female presence makes a statement and reinforces its importance; to cultivate a critical yet productive intersectional dialogue.

Presented within a circular frame to act like windows or openings, allowing viewers intimate access into this allegorical world of relationships, both familial and romantic, with the underlying threat of a patriarchal society that persists beneath these vignettes of freedom.



Volume 09

clay | chlorophyll | crimson

Grass is green where you water it. LC’s words float along over Misch’s guitar. It’s a phrase that feels so obvious, and I’m sure those who tend to gardens know this more than most, but it seems to land more than before. The impact noticeable, memorable, echoing through my being. Perhaps we’re ingrained to think it’s greener elsewhere. This patch is the problem and not whether we’re watering it. The key is in the watering. How we go about this practice is what defines our patch of grass. No matter where we go, our patch is, perhaps, the same. Some attributes and characteristics have been changed but the essence is the same: Us.

Stepping into Volume 09 of imprint, marks our third year. I am learning that this patch of green that we have been tending to for the last several years will mould, shift, and sculpt. This depends on how we water it and allow it to take its own shape. It has already happened in wonderfully unexpected ways. There is only so much structure or shape we can predetermine. Beyond that, it will absorb what it needs and reject all that is unnecessary. And perhaps, in this practice, we are changed. Our grass is watered as we water that of our writing, our image making, our practice, our magazine.

From light to dark, rigid to supple, new to old, there is so much in between that is bright and vibrant and unexpected. The practice of our magazine has focused on being open to what we receive; being open to deeply listening to what is shared; being open to work taking us to new journeys. This volume, and this year, will be no different. We will continue tending to it as we have done, learning along the way, from past seasons and present ones.

And yet, I know it will be entirely different.
But still.
It will be watered.