Migrant Memory: by Raki Nikahetiya
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Raki Nikahetiya, Twenty Twenty Two 2022
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Raki Nikahetiya, Amma
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Raki Nikahetiya, AN UNLIKELY EVENT
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Raki Nikahetiya, Attha I
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Raki Nikahetiya, Atthamma I
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Raki Nikahetiya, Atthamma II
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Raki Nikahetiya, Atthamma III
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Raki Nikahetiya, Colombo
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Raki Nikahetiya, Double Barrel
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Raki Nikahetiya, EXIT ON ORDER
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Raki Nikahetiya, Gelateria Giardino
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Raki Nikahetiya, HEAD DOWN! STAY DOWN!
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Raki Nikahetiya, Isabella
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Raki Nikahetiya, Kandy
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Raki Nikahetiya, Kandyans I
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Raki Nikahetiya, Kandyans II
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Raki Nikahetiya, Kandyans III
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Raki Nikahetiya, Karambolage I
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Raki Nikahetiya, Karambolage II
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Raki Nikahetiya, Karambolage II
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Raki Nikahetiya, Rooted II
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Raki Nikahetiya, Rooted III
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Raki Nikahetiya, Rooted IV
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Raki Nikahetiya, Rose
Migrant Memory
Human history is shaped by migration. It has been an age-old response to circumstances that compel us to seek new horizons, whether driven by hope, necessity, or survival. Migration embodies resilience, as individuals and communities navigate the duality of holding on to their roots while embracing the new, defining their evolving sense of belonging. Yet, migration often comes at a cost, altering lives in a deeply personal way, beyond physical displacement.
Raki’s work tells one such story, capturing the impacts of migration on one’s memory and identity. His art speaks to the profound impact of his family’s migration, spurred by the Sri Lankan civil war that raged from the 1980s to 2009. The act of leaving his homeland was marked by an indelible memory—boarding a plane and staring at an air safety card that both unnerved and comforted him. These cards, detailing possible calamities and safety protocols, became symbols of a crucial moment of departure and arrival—a bridge between the life he knew and the unknown that awaited. This is reflected in his series ‘Brace! Brace!’.
Arriving in Austria brought the challenges of adapting to an unfamiliar culture and language. Yet, amidst this struggle, he found kinship in those who welcomed him, teaching him new words, introducing him to their world, and making him feel at home in a foreign land. These relationships were anchors in his journey. But no matter how far one ventures, homeland and family are parts of one's identity that withstand time and distance. Stories from home were almost exotic against the mundane realities of immigrant life. Raki’s oeuvre embodies this duality—the longing for home and the resilience found in new beginnings. In his ‘Another Life’ series, associated objects become symbols of relationships, connecting past and present and revealing unspoken stories.
His interdisciplinary approach to art allows him to express himself through diverse mediums, often collaborating with artisans and communities. For this exhibition, he has worked closely with embroidery master artisan Reyas Ali and his team in Kolkata, as well as with pietra dura master artisans in Agra. His tokens of memory form the imagery of his works, drawing from ancestral photographs, souvenirs, nostalgia and pop culture.
‘Migrant Memory’ explores how memories intertwine with identity - that not only connect us to our past but also propel us forward. Raki's work is a celebration of resilience, belonging, and experiences that carry us forward.
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Hyderabad| Artist Raki Nikahetiya explores themes of migration and memories, from Sri Lanka to Austria
in the press , The HinduSangeetha Devi Dundoo, The Hindu , 30 November 2024 -
Exploring the emotional landscapes of displacement, Raki Nikahetiya’s work merges personal narratives with universal themes Central to the artist’s work is the exploration of memory as a dynamic force that shapes identity
in the press , IndulgeAnshula Udayraj Dhulekar , Indulge | Indian Express, 29 November 2024 -
Raki Nikahetiya’s Solo ‘Migrant Memory’ Highlights Cultural Shift in Identity
in the press, AbirpothiAbirpothi, 29 November 2024 -
MIGRANT MEMORY : RAKI NIKAHETIYA
in the press, India Art FairIndia Art Fair