Untitled by Adnan Kamal

3x5 ft, Indian Ink on Canvas

Artist Statement //

My current practice explores how our bodies feel on the inside, rather than how they appear on the outside. I express this through the distortion of forms found in the environment. Inspiration comes from the way trees grow; their branches twist, bend and stretch to find light and freedom. I see this same "distorted growth" in the human spirit.

For me, a distortion is not a mistake. It is a record of how we push through space and survive. This thought connects deeply to the philosophy of Maurice Merleau-Ponty, who believed that we experience the world through our bodies, not just our minds.

The process begins with rather rapid ink drawings, where the pressure of my hand and the speed of movement allow subconscious thoughts to surface without overthinking. From there, the work moves into sculpture, using metal, rubber, plaster, and found objects to give physical form to these shapes, transforming inner emotion into something tangible.

About Artist //

Adnan is a self-taught artist based in Baroda. He began his journey as a fashion visual artist with the brand Harri before moving into fine arts. Working mainly with sculpture and drawing, his practice explores how experiences we see, hear, and feel stay within the body. Through form and material, his works carry emotions that are both personal and shared, shaped by observation, accident, and the process of making itself.