Unveiling the Inspiration: Vedika Rampal Pilgrimage II

Artist Vedika Rampal was raised hearing her parents, grandparents, and great uncle share their childhood memories, tales handed down through the family. These narratives inspired her to deeply contemplate her culture and heritage, serving as a catalyst for her work Pilgrimage II.

Pilgrimage II is a compelling piece that weaves elements of the artist's heritage from her family's shared memory. Inspired by conversations with her father about the Ajanta Caves in her ancestral homeland, India, Rampal visited the site in 2023.

Here she encountered threads of stories from childhood memories and narratives she grew up with. Amidst the many tourists, Rampal made her way through the caves adorned with paintings by ancient Indians. While photographing these caves, the artist realized that the paintings had been damaged by European conservators' efforts to preserve the works. All these experiences prompted Rampal to reflect on her ancestry, her connection to the caves, the accuracy of narratives, and nature's resistance to granting access to such precious works of art.

These elements are all part of the narrative informing Rampal's current practice and line of inquiry, culminating in the powerful work featured at the Hatched National Grad Show in August 2024 at the Perth Institute of Contemporary Art (PICA).

Congratulations to Vedika Rampal a true immersion in her practice and reflective of her own personal journey. Learn more about her practice and the creation of Pilgrimage II below.