ARTIST BIO
Naznin Virji-Babul is a neuroscientist and sculptor. Naznin has worked in both clay and stone for the past decade, exploiting each medium through its unique properties. Using clay, she starts with an idea, building from an abstract form, intertwining and sculpting emotion and perception to achieve the final form; in stone she starts with an unformed block – full of potential – and gradually chisels and polishes to discover the beauty of the form underneath. Naznin’s artwork has been shown at various exhibitions throughout Victoria and Vancouver, B.C., including at the Maltwood Gallery, Roundhouse Community Center, Rogue Gallery, Leigh Square Community Arts village, and Deer Lake Gallery. In 2022, she completed a workshop on “Sculpting the Portrait from Life'' at the Florence Academy of Art in Florence, Italy.
ARTWORK DESCRIPTION
Sculpture; 14” x 7” x 11”
Inspired by the prompt, “identity and self”, Naznin’s installation sculpted virtually by a collection of images, juxtaposes a sculpted clay portrait of a woman against a backdrop of blurred images, depicting human relationships from diverse cultural backgrounds. The title of the work highlights that the images we see around us and the ideas we are exposed to, shape and carve our identity and sense of self. The subject of the sculpture is seen to be observing and contemplating the world around her with a reflective, critical eye. She is surrounded by images from the Iranian, Tajik, Indian and Western traditions which she interrogates but also imbibes her own sense of self. At the same time, the sculptor in the art of creating the subject, pours her essence (created by her own experience of images) into the clay to create an intimate expression of the self.
Naznin sees herself evolving fluidly and dynamically between the intersection of multiple roles, thoughts, ideas, aspirations, indelible cultural and religious experiences. As a wife, mother, daughter, scientist, artist and leader, she has been inspired by stories of struggle, passion, resilience and is continuously learning how to empathetically see and value human beings in all their diversity.
The final installation was photographed and designed by Arif Babul.
