Visakha Jane Phillips

Bard College

Sang Pi, 2019
oil and charcoal on canvas, 58.5 x 60 inches

Tell us about the work that you have submitted.
Sang Pi is a synthesis of moments tied to the village the piece is named after. Though seemingly unrelated, each of the elements comes from my own childhood memories or my family's memories, from my parents on their wedding day, to my grandmother's chickens, to the school playground next door.

How would you describe your studio practice?
My studio practice demonstrates the convoluted nature of memory by fusing personal objects, figures, and events together in a dreamlike space. I am constantly undergoing cycles of painting and un-painting, with a visual emphasis on discoveries made in the process rather than a fixation on the final product.

What motivated you to apply to the AXA Art Prize?
I was forwarded the AXA Art Prize by a professor and was compelled by the opportunity for exposure. Because the figure has always been so central to my artistic practice, I was also excited to apply for a prize that recognizes the power and weight of figurative work.

Instagram: @visakhajane