Silence and Surveillance: Exploring Power, Urban Life, Resistance, and Reflection 

A juxtaposition of silence and surveillance is particularly poignant when examining the themes of power and urban life, as presented in the writings of Michel Foucault. This juxtaposition is central to my artistic practice, where silence serves as a canvas upon which the multifaceted nature of human existence is painted. It embodies quietude, calmness, stillness, and speechlessness, transcending the mere absence of sound to become a profound reflection of inner states and societal dynamics.

Foucault’s Notion of Power and Surveillance: Foucault’s assertion that those subjected to visibility assume responsibility for the constraints of power resonates deeply in the silence of complicity. The knowledge of being under constant surveillance, whether by physical or digital means, creates a silent obedience to the structures of power that govern modern society. His seminal work on power, surveillance, and disciplinary mechanisms provides a framework for understanding the silent complicity that characterises modern societies. Foucault’s concept of the panopticon, as outlined in “Discipline and Punish: The Birth of the Prison,” illustrates how the mere awareness of being watched leads individuals to internalise the mechanisms of power and regulate their behaviour accordingly. This internalisation of surveillance creates a silent acquiescence to the structures of power, perpetuating the status quo.

Silence as Resistance and Reflection: In the discourse surrounding power and surveillance, silence takes on a nuanced significance. It is a silence that may be born from fear but also from the normalisation of surveillance as an inherent aspect of contemporary life. My critique of hyper-networked surveillance infrastructures brings this silent complicity into focus, rendering visible the invisible structures of power that operate insidiously on all life forms. Through the medium of paintings, I try to illuminate the hidden mechanisms of control that shape urban landscapes and individual behaviour. The juxtaposition of demolished structures and fragmented cityscapes serves as a metaphor for the disintegration of privacy and autonomy in the face of pervasive surveillance. 

Despite the pervasive nature of surveillance, silence also encompasses moments of resistance and reflection. In the stillness of certain compositions, there exists a space for contemplation and introspection—a silence that speaks volumes about the fragility of human aspirations and the resilience of the human spirit. It is a silence that defies the all-pervading gaze of surveillance, asserting the agency of the individual in the face of oppressive systems.

Silence in Interpersonal Relationships: In the context of interpersonal relationships, silence takes on additional layers of meaning. It can signify aloofness, a deliberate withdrawal from the cacophony of social interaction. Yet, it can also denote a profound understanding that transcends the limitations of language—a silence that speaks of empathy, connection, and shared humanity. However, silence is not always a choice. In the face of oppression and injustice, silence becomes a symbol of submission—a tacit acknowledgment of powerlessness in the face of overwhelming forces. This  silence, born from fear and intimidation, perpetuates the status quo and reinforces existing power structures.

Resistance Through Visual Expression: Yet, even in the silence of oppression, there exists the potential for resistance. My practice serves as a testament to the power of visual expression to disrupt the silence of complicity and inspire collective action. Through the act of bearing witness to the injustices of mass surveillance and urban decay, the compositions invite viewers to break the silence and reclaim agency over their lives and surroundings. 

The works serve as a visual critique of the hyper-networked surveillance infrastructures that permeate contemporary urban landscapes, rendering visible the invisible structures of power that operate insidiously on all life forms. The juxtaposition of demolished structures and fragmented cityscapes serves as a metaphor for the erosion of privacy and autonomy in the face of pervasive surveillance.

The Ineffable Complexities of Silence: In the vastness of human experience, silence serves as a reminder of the ineffable complexities that defy linguistic expression. It is a space of possibility, where words give way to intuition, emotion, and connection. In this silence, we find solace, understanding, and the profound realization that some truths can only be felt, not spoken.

Personal Reflections and Background: Born as a Sikh, my family’s conversations often revolved around constantly changing seasons (Barahmasa) and the celebration of the same. This cyclical rhythm of nature is reflective in the landscapes I create, capturing the inherent and unequalled beauty of the world. My works also draw from the experiences I had while traveling, reflecting upon the feelings of emptiness and isolation that led to alienation, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. These experiences inspire my exploration of topographical possibilities on imaginary planets, seeking a balance between structured and unstructured spaces. 

The sight of demolished or destructed structures often brings back memories of my childhood in my hometown village. Witnessing the destruction of buildings worldwide for various reasons has made the process of altering surfaces an intuitive part of my artistic practice. This act of changing a structure’s surface becomes a metaphor for the fragmentation and transformation of spaces under surveillance.

To conclude, through my works, I reflect upon the inherent beauty of landscapes, the isolation and alienation experienced during times of crisis, and the pervasive influence of surveillance on our daily lives. My practice seeks to illuminate these themes, inviting viewers to contemplate the complexities of silence, surveillance, and reflection in our modern world. The exploration of silence in my compositions offers a nuanced understanding of power, surveillance, and urban life. The attempt is to invite viewers to confront the silent complicity that perpetuates oppressive systems while also celebrating the transformative potential of resistance and collective action. Through the interplay of silence and discourse, the attempt is to provide the profound depths of human experience and the enduring power of expression to illuminate the shadows of our shared existence.