“Afeem”, 2020. Customized-painted brooch. – Naina.co

GIFTS FOR THOSE WHO HAVE EVERYTHING

I made a brand new pal and I really like him very a lot. He’s superior. I’ve been eager to get him a present for some time. The factor is, he has the whole lot. And I’ve been working circles in my head, making an attempt to consider one thing to offer him that doesn’t price an arm and a leg however continues to be unique sufficient that nobody else on the planet has it.

I did consider portray him a brooch initially – once we weren’t shut buddies. However portray a bespoke brooch requires intimate information of the individual. Who’re they? What do they like? What does their life appear to be? And so on.

GETTING TO KNOW SOMEONE

Then, in January, I bought to spend some little or no alone-time with him and bought to know him higher. I spent one other 3-4 months occupied with our conversations and all of the issues he instructed me. And eventually, someday, after actually making notes in regards to the concepts and ideas swimming round in my head, I bought it.

CUSTOM PAINTING THEM A BROOCH

The idea itself is a bit summary, and the portray is much more summary. I used to be and nonetheless am going by means of a part of portray Impressionist Brooches, and Monet and Van Gogh are replete with Poppy Fields. The brooch is known as “Afeem”. “Afeem” means “opium”. Opium is derived from the Poppy flower. That seems like a really literal clarification however the inspiration has so many layers to it that that clarification was reserved for the observe I wrote to Siddharth together with the brooch. There are a number of etymological roots of the phrase and historic affiliation with Opium that match relatively properly with who Siddharth is.

GETTING A PHOTOGRAPH OF THEM WEARING SAID BROOCH

I visited him once more in July and eventually bought pictures of him carrying the brooch. Ugh. I like it that he wore it on a white kurta. He wore it a number of instances and most instances we have been too busy having conversations that I at all times forgot to get {a photograph}.

TECHNICALITIES

The brooch is painted with acrylics on a 2.5 inch diameter wooden base. It has a magnet clasp on the again – in order to not destroy the silks that Siddharth wears. The brooch was additionally accompanied by a Certificates of Authenticity, which is a function with all my work. In case Siddharth didn’t just like the visible attraction of the piece, he might reward it ahead with provenance. ( I firmly consider that when I’ve gifted one thing to another person, it’s not mine and they’re welcome to do with it as they please. )