Visualizing Interdependence

Interdependence resonates deeply with my exploration of interconnected systems, both ecological and sociocultural. The issue’s emphasis on relationality and mutual reliance complements my interest in visualizing the unseen networks that sustain life, such as mycelial structures, root systems, and tessellations found in nature. I was particularly inspired by the way interdependence extends beyond biological systems to include human relationships and sociopolitical entanglements. This lens shaped my illustration, where organic forms intertwine to reflect the symbiotic exchanges between individuals, communities, and their environments.

I seek to evoke a sense of wonder and recognition, an awareness of the unseen but fundamental interconnections that shape our lives. I want viewers to reflect on the deep entanglements between the human and non-human worlds, to reconsider their positionality within larger ecosystems, and to imagine alternative futures where these relationships are reconfigured in more equitable, sustainable ways. I also aim to inspire dialogue around identity, lineage, and the fluidity of cultural narratives, encouraging viewers to engage with themes of futurism, memory, and resistance.

My practice engages with larger sociopolitical and ecological issues by interrogating dominant narratives and offering counter-mythologies. Themes of class, caste, and gender fluidity frequently emerge in my work, reflecting on the ways systems of power shape human existence. Additionally, my engagement with speculative futurisms, such as Tamil Dalit Futurism, allows me to critically reimagine histories and propose alternative trajectories that center marginalized voices. The entanglement of organic networks in my work also serves as a meditation on environmental degradation, resilience, and the necessity of collaborative survival in the face of global crises.

My process is research driven and intuitive. I often start with exploration into historical and contemporary frameworks, through mythology, archival materials, or scientific phenomena. This research informs my visual language, which is composed of patterns, hybridized forms, and interconnected structures. Material experimentation is also central to my process, as I incorporate both digital and analog techniques to create layered compositions. 

While I cannot pinpoint a singular “first” artwork, I do recall early experiments that involved worldbuilding, drawing imaginary landscapes and speculative beings that defied conventional categorization. These early works, though informal, were an intuitive engagement with many of the themes I explore today, including hybridity, interconnectedness, and alternative futures. My creative process has evolved, but my impulse to challenge normative structures and reimagine possibilities has remained constant.

My engagement with science fiction is broad and interdisciplinary, spanning literature, cinema, and oral storytelling traditions. I am particularly inspired by speculative fiction that intersects with cultural memory and resistance, such as Octavia Butler’s Parable series and the broader traditions of Afrofuturism and Indigenous futurisms. Tamil science fiction, though lesser known, also informs my practice, especially in the way it envisions alternate cosmologies and nonlinear temporality. In cinema, films like Fantastic Planet and The Fifth Element, which explore organic hybridity, alien ecologies, and posthumanism, have influenced my visual storytelling. My work exists in dialogue with these speculative narratives, using them as a framework to dismantle dominant myths and construct new, liberatory futures.