geetha thurairajah (B.1986) Edible Arrangement

geetha thurairajah (B.1986) Edible Arrangement acrylic and oil on linen 121.9 x 91.4cm (48 x 36in). Footnotes: 'My practice as a painter is in conversation with Conceptualism.'' geetha thurairajah grew up in Waterloo—a small city nestled a short distance from Toronto, Canada. The artist's early years were shaped by the allure of distant worlds beyond her immediate surroundings. The urban proximity of a big city served as a catalyst for dreaming outside the confines of local landscapes. 'Growing up outside of an urban centre provided enough space for me to aspire to places like New York—to dream about the worlds just beyond my grasp,' she says. thurairajah's work for the auction titled 'Edible Arrangement' intertwines abstraction and representation. 'It's very much thinking of Fauvism, its critics, and what it means to be in dialogue with artists like Gauguin in 2023 from my perspective.' The artist navigates these historical and critical conversations, infusing her own perspective into the discourse, while challenging the boundaries of conventional still life through a contemporary lens. thurairajah initially set out to pursue journalism after doing her BA in International Studies at the Wilfrid Laurier University in 2010. Soon, a revealing course in journalism underscored a profound realisation—while the intensity of storytelling resonated deeply, it was within art that her passion and purpose converged. Thus, she took a leap towards the field, enrolling at the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design in Halifax, Canada in 2014. 'The school has a significant Conceptual Art history and I was interested in what this could mean for a painting practice,' she says. Intrigued by the intersection of conceptualism and painting, she sought to challenge the perceived dichotomy between the two. 'My practice as a painter is in conversation with Conceptualism. We're taught that the history of painting and conceptualism exist on opposite ends of the spectrum, and that they're counterintuitive but they don't need to be. That's the space I'm interested in as an artist.' In 2016, she was a finalist in the RBC painting competition. Central to her process is the notion of painting as a language. By embracing the teachings of Conceptual Art, thurairajah's work evaluates paintings as sets of ideas. 'What is the most economic way to use the material to communicate the idea? I usually start with acrylic stains and washes, and finish in oil. I'm starting to introduce other materials into the newer works like sand.' She is also influenced by Francis Bacon's approach to working from photographic sources. Her objective is to distort forms and confound legibility through the tools of the medium. 'I'm always starting from an image source but the game is to remove as much information as possible or to use the tools offered by painting (colour, space, composition) to confuse the legibility of these signifiers.' At the crux of her exploration lies a fascination with myths around identity. Influenced by thinkers like Roland Barthes, thurairajah delves into how artworks themselves become mythologies, shaped by historical contexts and societal constructs. 'I'm interested in using these devices as an artist to push against the 'order of things', to create alternative histories and stories through my work.' Reflecting on seminal art experiences, a survey on artist and writer Dan Graham at the Whitney Museum titled 'Dan Graham: Beyond' in 2009, tops thurairajah's list. 'This exhibition showed me what was possible in art.' Informed by the semiotics of subcultures, she explores the genesis of aesthetic voices and subversive movements that challenge mainstream culture. 'There is something that I am looking for in what it means to develop an aesthetic voice, when you feel like you can't relate or see yourself reflected in the culture at large. Growing up this was popular culture and now it's the history of painting. How can I carve out space for my story in this history?' Presently, the artist's endeavours revolve around dismantling representations further, revisiting influences like Sigmar Polke. 'Can I reduce my worlds down to mere suggestions? Where is the line between abstraction and nonsense? This is the game for me,' she says. As thurairajah navigates the myths surrounding identity and abstraction, she is set for her upcoming show. Shrouded in anticipation, it promises large-scale paintings referencing the dynamics of 'cultures' amongst pack animals. In 2024, thurairajah is also poised to complete her MFA at Bard College, Milton Avery School of Art, Annandale-on-Hudson, New York. This lot is subject to the following lot symbols: * * VAT on imported items at a preferential rate of 5% on Hammer Price and the prevailing rate on Buyer's Premium. For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com For further information about this lot please visit the lot listing