The student of Delhi University 1970

Mariam Aslamazian made this portrait, 'The student of Delhi University', using watercolors and maybe some ink too. Looking at it, I’m drawn to how she lets the washes bleed and mingle, giving it a real sense of immediacy, as if she were trying to capture a fleeting moment. The thing that really grabs me is the juicy quality of the pigment and the wet-on-wet technique. Notice how the colours merge on the student's face and hair. It’s loose and intuitive. The dark strokes defining the hair contrasts with softer hues elsewhere. It's a kind of controlled chaos, and so beautiful. The whole thing feels very heartfelt. You might compare it to some of Alice Neel’s portraits, or even some early Expressionist watercolors where the point isn't perfection, but feeling. This piece reminds us that art isn't about rigid representation, but a living, breathing exchange.