Lot 210: ANJU DODIYA (B. 1964)

ANJU DODIYA (B. 1964) Rain Signed 'Anju' on reverse Watercolor, charcoal, and gold gouache on paper 69 1/2 x 44 1/2 in. (176.5 x 113 cm.)

Although the title of this work is Rain, the phenomenon of weather is not the central theme of the painting. Rather, the viewer is witness to a visual onslaught of swords tumbling out of the sky and onto the female protagonist, who raises her arms in a mute gesture of self-defense and helplessness. Dodiya had initially selected a variety of objects but eventually chose swords as they best represent the feeling of persecution and pain. While the swords represent an external physical assault, it is the inner mental battle of anguish that is of equal importance to the artist.