Diya Rao
Trampled by insistent feet, blackened streets, and the notion of an infinitely gentle, infinitely suffering thing, 2026
graphite and scribing on industrial steel panels, and engraved car detritus
61cm x 32cm panels
Artist statement
Interested in exploring the deterioration of life due to urban growth, Trampled by insistent feet, blackened streets, and the notion of an infinitely gentle, infinitely suffering thing (2026) captures the pervasiveness of urbanisation and its adverse effects on the collective through the recurring motif of deceased birds, creating a dialogue between viewer, image, and trace. The scribed images of birds on the steel panels were derived from real encounters. Working in conversation with the car detritus engraved with overlapping images of urban signage, the works aim to register the birds’ ephemeral, sordid, overlooked forms as a consequence of metropolitanisation.
Photographs: Anna Kucera
Acknowledgement of Country
UNSW School of Art & Design stands on an important place of learning and exchange first occupied by the Bidjigal and Gadigal peoples.
We acknowledge the Bidjigal and Gadigal peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the land that our students and staff share, create and operate on. We pay our respects to Elders past and present and extend this respect to all First Nations peoples across Australia. Sovereignty has never been ceded.
