Michelle Poonawalla

CONCEPT OF ARTWORK

The concept stems from a species of butterfly with tiger-like stripes on its wings. Just as the Indian Common Butterfly has tiger stripes, this Tiger also emulates the Butterfly's wings. Both animals let the other borrow strength, support, hope and positivity during tough times. The butterfly, a recurring motif in Poonawalla’s work, symbolises the fragility and the ephemeral, transformative nature of life. As it goes through a process of metamorphosis, the butterflies give us a sense of hope after a period of darkness. The sculpture is depicted in red as the colour symbolises energy, mobility, and luck in Asian culture.

ABOUT MICHELLE POONAWALLA (INDIA)

Michelle Poonawalla is an artist who lives and works between London, UK, and Pune, India. Her works explore universal, socially engaged topics that resonate with a diverse range of audiences, creating powerful memories and moving experiences. Her practice combines cutting-edge technology and traditional artistic mediums in an emotionally charged and poetic form; often utilising sound, video mapping, projection, motion sensors and other techniques to bring her innovative paintings and installations to life.