Aaryama Somayaji is an Indian artist based inDelhi and Singapore. With a background in storytelling and illustration, her work delves into cultural identity, heritage, and the shifting nature of selfhood. Drawing from epic fantasy, anthropology, myth, and magic, she creates layered narratives that challenge ideas of belonging in a globalised world. Aaryama holds a B.Des (Hons) from the National Institute of Design, India and an MA Fine Arts (Distinction) from LASALLE College of the Arts, Singapore. Her work has been exhibited at the Institute of Contemporary Arts Singapore and the Singapore Art Museum, among others. She is a recipient of the LASALLE MA Merit Award (2023) and the Dr. Winston Oh Travelogue Award (2024).
About the artist
Aaryama Somayaji is an Indian artist based inDelhi and Singapore. With a background in storytelling and illustration, her work delves into cultural identity, heritage, and the shifting nature of selfhood. Drawing from epic fantasy, anthropology, myth, and magic, she creates layered narratives that challenge ideas of belonging in a globalised world. Aaryama holds a B.Des (Hons) from the National Institute of Design, India and an MA Fine Arts (Distinction) from LASALLE College of the Arts, Singapore. Her work has been exhibited at the Institute of Contemporary Arts Singapore and the Singapore Art Museum, among others. She is a recipient of the LASALLE MA Merit Award (2023) and the Dr. Winston Oh Travelogue Award (2024).
In my practice, I explore the intricate intersections of cultural identity, politics, and the mysteries of heritage. Through ceramics, embroidery, ink, painting, and hand-crafted paper, I weave together personal and collective histories to address the themes of folklore, esoteric arts, and the complexities surrounding the access and denial of cultural knowledge. Some of the key lenses through which I examine these themes are food, local mythology, and magic, each offering unique insights into identity and tradition. My work delves into the tension between inherited traditions and the forces that seek to obscure or erase them. By blending ancient materials with contemporary techniques, I investigate the notion of lost or hidden heritage, questioning how cultural narratives are shaped by power structures and what lies beneath the surface of history. I often look beyond the known, incorporating speculative and possible alien ancestry into my work. This allows me to envision alternate histories, futures, and realities, offering new ways of understanding our past and the spaces we inhabit. My art blurs the lines between the mystical and the tangible, inviting viewers to consider what might be hidden in plain sight.
