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Our universe is crafted and fabricated by surreal variations of distinctive individuals, from varied ethnic backgrounds. Brooklyn’s Amara Ramdhanny, a woman of Indo- Carribean decent, who continues to work on multiple platforms pertaining to the likes of collaborating with Nike, for a project known as “Isle of Spice” featuring kicks that are inspired by a tropical and a Carribean aesthetic/ colour palette – to collaborating with Sorjo Magazine alongside skilled photographers, her work also revolves around the art of interviewing. Speaking of which, she had the fortuity and the pleasure to interview women of mixed race, gathering insight from their Afro-Indian heritage. Her art fluidly embodies her experiences which is built on narratives based on her identity, as a woman of colour.
Tell us more about your project and your collaborations.
In addition to designing the “Isle of Spice” Nike React Element 55 with the We Are Cultivator program, I also had the pleasure of interviewing three amazing young women about their identity as mixed women of Black and Indian descent, also known as a “dougla” in the Caribbean community (a term with a controversial background. While it means someone of Afro/Indo descent, it is also a slur meaning “bastard” or “mutt”, having origins in Bhojpuri, the dialect of Hindi spoken by the majority of Indians who migrated as indentured laborers in the 19th and early 20th centuries) and their feelings about that identity and how they feel that they fit into the Desi community (or not) in collaboration with SORJO MAGAZINE. Photographs by the incredibly talented photographer, Malik Frank!
What are some of your biggest inspirations over the years of your artistic career?
Frida Kahlo, Amrita Sher-gil, Nisha Ganatra, etc.
Describe your creative process and the purpose with which you create.
All my art is based on my identity and experience as a woman of color of Afro/Indo-Caribbean descent and my relationship to the world of art and story-telling.
Are there any Indian contemporaries of yours whose work you admire? (please share Instagram handles)
@bengalisun, @sam_madhu, @ay.irani, @nandithenomad, @juicycherub
What is the first piece of art/photograph/film/music that impacted you deeply?
The Two Fridas, 1939 by Frida Kahlo
If you could propose and lead a project with the Indian Government, what would it be?
I’m not sure how exactly but by bringing awareness to the various religious, ethnic, etc. identities within the Indian diaspora and the beauty in that diversity while also addressing the negative impacts of colourist hierarchies, caste systems, and dominant religious preferences, and finding a way to work past that and see the beauty in every Indian identity, not just the “preferred” light-skin/white-washed Bollywood standard of beauty.
Which is your favourite piece of work of your own & why?
Probably this series, and the Nike React Element 55 colorway that I designed to go along with it: “Isle of Spice”, named after the nickname of my Indo-Caribbean mother’s home island of Grenada
One track you’re currently listening to?
Always “XXXO” by M.I.A.
A project you wish you were a part of?
I’d love to learn more about Indo-Caribbean and Mixed desi diaspora experiences and bring it to the forefront of media similar to @southasiaarchive or @bangladeshiart !!
Your favourite midnight munchies?
Watermelon sour patch candies
Your greatest vice?
Overthinking and self-sabotage
If you like Amara’s work, be sure to check her Instagram out!
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