I Am
Digital Collage Illustration, 2021
Created and described by Sabrina Tirvengadum.
[frame drum and temple bells throughout]
In this collage, there's a small cut-out photo of my 37-year-old brown-skinned South Asian face. I'm positioned in the centre of the image against a vibrant yellow background. Circling around me are two concentric rings of smaller cut-outs of clenched bright red fists, signifying strength and unity.
My gaze is directed downward, with slightly open dark brown eyes highlighted by black winged eyeliner, and I have pink lips.
[raindrops fade in]
On my right cheekbone, there are large illustrated light blue tears falling and spilling onto the yellow background, with each drop resembling the shapes of several South Asian countries and Mauritius, which have had a significant influence on my life.
I wear a yellow gold nose ring on my left nostril. Hanging from it is a cross pendant symbolising femininity.
Next to my face, there's a simple black line drawing of my left ear. Beside it, there is a blue in-ear hearing aid with a small cut-out of a magenta hand reaching towards it.
[all sounds fade]