Variegated
ABOUT THE INSTALLATION
Vitiligo (or leucoderma) is an autoimmune skin disorder that causes gradual loss of ‘melanin’- a pigment that gives our skin its colour, resulting in irregular white patches all over the body. It affects about 1-2% of the population worldwide and is perceived to be disfiguring. In India, it is commonly known as ‘kod’ or ‘safed daag’ while the ancient texts refer to it as ‘shweta kushta’ meaning white leprosy. While the condition is not contagious or life threatening, people with Vitiligo have little control over the external appearance of their bodies and it affects them deeply at a psychological level.
The installation titled ‘Variegated’ meaning ‘exhibiting different colours, especially as irregular patches or streaks’ shares the human experience of having Vitiligo while looking at a few similar phenomena in nature. It is an attempt to investigate the sensibilities surrounding our appearances by exploring and expressing who we are and how we see ourselves.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
Dhwani Shah is a Graphic Designer and Illustrator from Mumbai. Her key areas of interests include Publication design, Sequential Narratives, Lettering and Typography. She graduated from National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad.
Contact: dhwani.s12@gmail.com
KNOW MORE
Lee Thomas, Anchor/Entertainment Reporter on Fox Detroit and Author of Turning White speaks about Vitiligo at Tedx Detroit.
Photo Credit : Tinka Kalajzic