Bodies III
Sanjeev Maharjan, 2010
Ink and acrylic
151 × 92 cm

Details:
Bodies V
122 × 152 cm

Bodies I
151 × 92 cm

© Sanjeev Maharjan

In this series, I have painted the bodies of pigs as I experience them. Having grew up seeing their carcasses, I carry the image of their dead bodies with me every day.

The place where I live in Khichapokhari, is lined with butchers selling fish, goats, chickens, buffaloes and pigs. Every morning, I see a rickshaw driver transports the pig carcasses to the shops. The white and light pink tones of the skin gradually turn red as the blood splatters over the dead bodies.

Once at the shops they are then cut into pieces. The bodies are gradually deformed, becoming less identifiable as they are sliced into different shapes and sizes. These pieces of flesh and meat are exhibited in front of the shops. The heads are displayed on one side, legs on the other, and so on with each part of the body. The memory of the whole, live creature is transformed. Finally, nothing remains from the body: it exists in the morning and is vanished by evening. A process that repeats itself every day.

These images are always with me. I seek to make people aware of things that they would otherwise overlook. I see my work as a tool with which to invite people to see these visceral images, through my eyes as it were.