Artist Statement

My work explores the absurdity of human nature, especially the ridiculousness of how we perceive others and how others perceive us. Words I employ are feeble to express the visions I portray of how I see the human mind functioning within the universe known and unknown. The individual tries to preserve his unique/ flamboyant nature amongst the social circus-like atmosphere. There are records kept throughout human history of actions of folly and enchanting greatness and all that seems inexpressible in between. From the individual to the social animal on the stage of the world, my work attempts to portray the analogy of the colorful circus themed celebrations built by the human mind and the universe it is contained in. My work is a celebration of human life, the circus of life. There are infinite ways the human mind works and there are infinite ways to interpret life. That is what the world of the circus offers; colorful perspectives of infinite choices.

By merging several seemingly incompatible worlds into a new universe, I make work that generates diverse meanings. Associations and meanings collide. Space becomes time and language becomes image. I create situations in which everyday objects are altered or detached from their natural function. By applying specific combinations and certain manipulations, different functions and/or contexts are created. With the use of appropriated materials, which are borrowed from a day-to-day context, I present everyday objects as well as references to texts, painting and architecture. By emphasizing aesthetics, I use visual vocabulary that addresses many different existentialist issues. The work incorporates time as well as space –a fictional and experiential universe that only emerges bit by bit. Moments are depicted that only exist to punctuate the human drama in order to clarify our existence and to find poetic meaning in everyday life.
 

Biography

Ranna Chaudry was born in Sharjah, U.A.E in 1988. Having migrated from U.A.E to Pakistan and finally settling in USA submerged her in different cultures. Ranna has been fascinated by the functioning of human mind and how the world is represented through the eyes of others. Naturally, she was drawn to painting. The interest was cultivated through her teenage years and further developed when she opted to take her Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts and Biopsychology. After completing her degrees, Ranna delved more into paintings which involved interpretation of human mind to include neuroscience and psychology. She went on to obtain her Masters in Counseling with emphasis on mental health. Her past work has included a mural for theatre performance at Rider University, she was awarded first place in TakingITGlobal, an online contest for spreading awareness for HIV. Ranna Chaudry has also participated in several exhibitions for her alma mater, The College of New Jersey and her work was selected for purchase by The College of New Jersey alumni collection. Her work has been displayed in galleries in NY, NJ, MD and Pakistan.

Ranna has also trained as a Licensed Clinical Professional counselor (LCPC), specializing in school-based mental health. She counsels 4-14 year olds in order to help them foster the motivation and resiliency she had when she transitioned to a new environment.

Exhibitions

SELECTED GROUP EXHIBITIONS:

§       "7th Annual National Arts Program: Exhibit for Johns Hopkins Medicine employees". Turner Concourse, Baltimore,MD (April 5th, 2016)

§       Traveling “Erasing Borders Exhibition” of contemporary Indian Art of the Diaspora. The Arthur M. Berger Art Gallery, Manhattanville (November 5-December 4, 2013).

§       "The Story of the Creative" group art show. See I Exhibition Space. Long Island City, Queens (July 25th-September 10th, 2013)

§       Traveling “Erasing Borders Exhibition” of contemporary Indian Art of the Diaspora. The Hammond Museum, North Salem (June 12-September 14, 2013).

§       Traveling “Erasing Borders Exhibition” of contemporary Indian Art of the Diaspora. Flushing Town Hall, Queens (April 5th-May 12, 2013).

§        “The Places of Our Lives” juried art show (juror, Yvonne Skaggs, curator), South Brunswick Municipal gallery, Monmouth Junction, NJ. (October 9, 2012-January, 13, 2013)

§       “Wednesday Night Art Show” juried art show, Fairway Studios, NYC (September 19, 2012)

§       “Coming to Brooklyn” fall group art show, BWAC, Brooklyn, NY (September 22-October, 21, 2012)

§       “Color” group art show, BWAC, Brooklyn, NY (July 28-August 19, 2012)

§       “When Winter Comes” juried art show, South Brunswick Municipal Gallery, Monmouth Junction, NJ. (September 20-December 27, 2011)

§        “The Roads We Travel” juried art show (juror, Cory Alperstein, arts education consultant) South Brunswick Municipal Gallery, Monmouth Junction, NJ. (April 5-June 20, 2011)

§       Wide Open2 (juror, Nathan Trotman, curator at the NYC Guggenheim) BWAC, Brooklyn, NY. (March 12-27th 2011)

§        “4X4 student exhibition” juried show at The College of New Jersey

§        Senior Thesis Art Exhibition 2010 (Etiology)

SOLO SHOWS:

§       “Untitled” solo art show (curator, Tanya Sohail), Alhamra Art Gallery, Lahore, Pakistan. (December 19-2012-January 3rd, 2013)