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ĀRUN
Chennai
Ārun is a freelance photographer from India whose practice explores the intersection of culture, identity, and the environment. Specializing in black-and-white medium format photography, he draws inspiration from the works of Lu Nan and Gordon Parks, focusing on geometry, light, and shadow. Alongside his contemporary approach, Ārun has a passion for alternative photography techniques, blending modern and traditional methods. His work engages with themes of identity, memory, and the passage of time, reflecting on the complexities of modern life.
Stopping By The Woods
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This on-going body of work is a visual exploration inspired by Robert Frost’s Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening and the Tamil poem Kuṟiñcippāṭṭu. Blending artistic and documentary photography, I aim to evoke a sense of peace and tranquility through this series and reflect on landscapes, people and emotions I encountered during my travels through Tamil Nadu’s mountain regions. After the opening of lockdown, the journey (spanning over 3,300km) became a space for personal refuge, where I connected with nature and its mysteries.
Inspired by the narratives of both the poems, I sought to create a visual dialogue with the landscape and its people, incorporating elements of mythology and personal memory. The gum-oil printing process transforms the landscapes into surreal, almost mystical places with its deep black-and-white tones adding texture and depth. As the project evolves, I aim to continue integrating both real and fictional elements, offering a contemplative space where nature, myth and memory converge.