Her winning series is entitled, “Populism, Culture and Love.” It consists of three pieces, each illustrating a facet of populism. Roopnarain incorporated the festival theme of Populism to merge with her typical retro-futuristic collage art, thus juxtaposing the modern world with the old world under the theme’s political backdrop.
‘Winning second place was unexpected. I sent my submission hardly expecting to become a finalist, let alone win second place internationally,’ she said. ‘While winning this competition has validated confidence in my work, the fact that I won second place has yet to sink in.’
Roopnarain entered her work in the Festival as a way to kick-start her art career. ‘I was searching for a way to break into the art scene (besides social media) and needed an avenue that would consider my work seriously. Competitions are a goldmine for those who want exposure and their art to be considered seriously. The prize money is not the only incentive; having your art appreciated and recognised internationally is an achievement in itself,’ she said.
Currently, Roopnarain is focused on completing her degree and seeing where her art will take her next.
‘As an artist, I knew I needed to choose a profession that utilises design and innovation in all areas. I regard architecture as one of the most important forms of art – it shapes us and our environment; we live, sleep and exist in spaces every day of our lives. Architecture allows you to turn a form or design into a practical and functional space that is able to be enjoyed physically. It goes beyond a picture or painting and transcends into everyday life.’
Her advice to other students is, ‘Don’t tame your creative side or compromise your true passion. If you have a particular talent for something, pursue it. You have a talent for a reason.’
