Adorn

The idea of adornment as beautification and decoration has been age old. Though I feel the role & practice of adorning oneself is more personal than merely indulgence & external embellishment. These illustrations and portraits express adornment as a deliberate expression of rebellion, anger, mystery, distraction & insecurity, simplicity, comfort, distortion and body modification.

– Jasjyot Singh Hans

Rebellion. Arrogance. Defiance.

‘I am me. I am strong. The things that I adorn myself with; I can not be, anyone else but me.’

Adornment can also be seen as an extension of one’s personality, a sacred way of customising & personalising one’s own style. For some, it might be unwashed ruffled hair, kohl & tattoos, for someone else thick rimmed glasses and neatly parted hair. A bindi, or perverse joy in bondage harnesses, spike collar and a mask. Red lipstick, bleached hair or black nails. Some may flaunt it on the street, some may restrict its appearance to four walls of their rooms.

Adornment; a sense of peace and comfort within oneself. Where nothing more than a wreath of flowers is needed. Where nothing less than a sense of being at ease with one’s inner self will do.

Adornment as a shield; a sense of alienation & distance. Confidence as a farce. Where over-accessorizing can be seen as a sense of sorrow & dissatisfaction; trying too hard to ward off any idea of insecurity and vulnerability.

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Jasjyot Singh Hans currently lives and works in Kolkata as an Illustrator and Animator at Sabyasachi Couture. He recently completed his Animation Film Design diploma at NID. Inspired by pop culture, comic books, music and fashion – he wishes to be able to put them all together in a dream project someday.