Ivory hunters, rubber merchants, labor traders, farm hands, like ancient tree, Banyan tree threw its tangerine roots from his pale mouth, scraped the earth of wealth with bodies jumping, swaying and swirling, black and brown limbs flying, small hands churning to feed the cream she made with this crimson flesh to colonial kings too far to see, so make them sing with no remorse while nature and savage flicker, to cease upon a candles glow

Date2011

Artist Rina Banerjee (Indian, born 1963)

CultureIndian

MediumLithograph on paper, Edition of 75 (#27/75)

DimensionsOverall: 39 3/8 x 27 1/8 in. (100 x 68.9 cm)
Framed: 44 1/16 x 31 13/16 x 1 1/4 in. (111.9 x 80.8 x 3.2 cm)

Credit LinePurchase

Period21st c

Classification(s)

Label TextBorn in Kolkata, Rina Banerjee is an Indian-American artist and sculptor. Her work draws from her experience as an immigrant, as well as colonialism, diaspora, migration, ethnicity, and race. The long and descriptive title is common in Banerjee’s work and urges viewers to deconstruct the print. Against a green grid-like background, orange roots of the banyan tree, India’s national tree, billow like the wind from multiple figures' mouths. A grotesque horned figure with multiple legs presides over a world of contorted human and bird-like figures. English colonialism began with Company rule by the British East India Company in the early 18th century as the establishment of trade and manufacturing outposts led to full annexation of Indian states, which came under Crown rule during the British Raj (1858–1947). Banyan trees, which hold cultural and religious significance for both Hindus and Buddhists, became sites for public hangings of anti-colonial rebels during India’s fight for independence. Banerjee’s mention of “colonial kings too far to see” against the visual representation of the banyan tree encourages one to unpack colonial history. - Monique D’Almeida, Deknatel Curatorial Fellow in Japanese Works on Paper

Object information is a work in progress and may be updated as new research findings emerge. To help improve this record, please email loebcollections@vassar.edu