Red Lights 2021
Adeena Nair (b. 2004-)
Polymer paint on canvas
76cm x 122cm
This abstract was inspired by Mark Rothko’s (1903-1970) abstract paintings. The composition features the vigorous movement of red lights based on a photograph taken in Bangalore India. The painting serves a Social Function and discusses the economic hierarchy by displaying the rear red lights from cars of the working-class members of India rushing around at night. Through the introduction of movement by manipulating splashes of color painted in various proportion, the artist can juxtapose the idea of social divide by implying chaotic behavior which begins internally due to the personal disturbance felt by such divide. A sense of depth is created from the usage achromatic Mars Black in the background and blended strokes of Cadmium Red and Cadmium Orange in the foreground. Mars Black resonate visually with the main colors and include additional primary color of Cerulean Blue Hue to unify the composition. To further create an illusion of chaos, textural features are added on the right of the composition which protrude from the artwork. This is balanced by adding smaller patches of texture on the right. Under the concept ‘nightlife’, the viewer is invited to feel the struggles of the working-class community, therefore acts a social commentary.