Umuayal Annamalai
Heritage: Indian
Umuayal Annamalai is an abstract expressionist and mixed media artist. She creates visual interpretations of her inner journey towards self-discovery. Through her art, Umuayal also explores how she connects with her authentic inner-self and the outer world. She believes that all life is connected, and she find ways to depict that synergy in her art.
Umuayal grew up in India amid vivid colors, which to do this day influences her to use bright colors in her art. She is a self-taught artist. and began her artistic journey painting landscape art. As she grew as an artist, Umuayal delved into discovering herself through art. Being a survivor of childhood trauma, she employs textured backgrounds to depict her mental scars. Over the textured background, she progressively add layers of color and intricate patterns to bring harmony to her work. She utilizes mark-making tools, palette knives, acrylic inks, acrylic paints, and stencils.
Healing is an intricate part of Umuayal’s art. She strives to bridge the gap between mental health issues and emotional awareness. She intuitively play with colors and patterns without worrying about the outcome; this helps to show vulnerability and bottled-up emotions in her work. Expressing them makes her feel empowered. The subject of her creations emerges from the textured layers of Umuayal’s past. At the same time, it reminds her that the past can’t define who she is becoming.
All images © Umuayal Annamalai
“As I grew as an artist, I delved into discovering myself through art. Being a survivor of childhood trauma, I employ textured backgrounds to depict my mental scars.”