In her new series, The Calm of Darkness, Chanee Vijay explores the intersection of sensory perception and nocturnal ambiance. Set against Northern California's coastal redwoods and meadows, this 10-piece hemp textile collage collection examines how darkness shapes visual and psychological experiences. "Living in this remote place without light pollution introduced me to a kind of darkness I had never experienced. I challenged myself to stand within the darkness to unveil how the night, rather than inducing fear and uncertainty, could be seen and revered. This intentional exercise, though uncomfortable, eventually removed the barriers of my learned anxieties, just as the shadows brought on by nightfall swallow the colors of the landscape." By dyeing the hemp fabric in phases—first in vibrant hues and then layering on blacks and browns—Chanee captures the tonal and textural shifts of the landscape as perceived through the absence of light. This method adds depth and complexity to each piece and results in muted, gradient-hued collage works.
