Paree Rohera is a painter from Mumbai, India, currently pursuing a BFA in painting at the Rhode Island School of Design. She takes on Mumbai’s inherent chaos, yet finds it more beautiful than any other. Going back and forth between India and the U.S. throughout the year has become like switching between phases of inspiration and reflection. 

Her practice is drawn towards beauty in the negative—the ‘negative’ often being her insecurities that are common in the South Asian community that are often overlooked. Physical insecurities like body hair and big noses are the most prominent in her paintings visually, however mental insecurities like anxiety and existentialism find a way into the foreground thematically. She commits these themes to canvas with the intention of transforming them into something visually captivating, finding peace in the vibrant hues and intricate patterns. 

The caricatures serve as a compelling vessel for her storytelling, and is more recently becoming extensions of herself. The side profile view in her paintings offers a deliberate avenue to scrutinize the specific features— a strong face structure, sharp nose, long tapered eyebrow, and almond-shaped eyes—are integral to capturing the essence of their beings. By adorning these imagined figures with elements of Indian ornamentation—such as elaborate clothing, intricate wallpapers, and ornate jewelry—while deliberately exaggerating features traditionally deemed “ugly,” she create a tension that challenges conventional notions of beauty and ugliness. Placing them within imagined narratives that resonate with her inner self has become a cathartic practice for her, and almost blurs the lines between caricature and self-portraiture. She captures an essence where personal identity seamlessly merges with cultural imagery within every element and detail.