Through The Looking-Glass: An Introspective

By Eva Malhotra

My work is composed of mirror fragments that create unique, irregular, and variable portraits of the viewer. I aim to create images that capture the subjectivity of the observer in a literally multifaceted way. Each shard of glass reflects differently; some of the fragments distort with graduation, coloration, and size. The image is thus splintered so that each aspect of it become singular, allowing the viewer to closely scrutinize individual aspects of his countenance. This allows the viewer to critically investigate himself. The reflections portrayed in these pieces will be distorted, even disturbing, but also perhaps beautiful. As the viewer moves, so does the image, making it as kinetic as our very beings.  

This series is motivated by literature’s frequent allusions to mirrors—a common and ancient trope whose roots are hardly traceable. Recalled in this collection is the duel between Don Quixote and the Knight of the Mirrors,  a ruse by Quixote’s family and friends to force him to see himself objectively; The Picture of Dorian Grey, in which the portrait of the title character reflects his inner being;  the ancient Egyptian Netters, mythical beings who gaze eternally into mirrors; and the reflections call to mind the poem, "Everness", by Argentine poet, Borges, who says that we are all "reflections" of that Eternal Light and thus are never lost to Oblivion.