Virahanka’s Bouquet

This piece, Virahanka’s Bouquet, is named in honor of Virahanka, an Indian mathematician whose contributions laid the foundation for what is now known as the Fibonacci sequence. While Leonardo Fibonacci is widely credited with its discovery, the origins of this mathematical pattern trace back much earlier—to Pingala (c. 200 BC) and later Virahanka (c. 700 AD). This work seeks to celebrate Virahanka’s legacy and question how historical narratives are preserved, recognized, and sometimes overlooked. 

In this tapestry, I explore the relationship between history, communication, and evolution. The piece features two figures: one representing our current state, and the other a mirrored, aspirational version of the self—symbolizing growth, transformation, and spiritual evolution.

The model is Jake Alawson, a UK-based Instagram influencer known for his floral mandala-inspired chest tattoos. His body art reflects sacred geometry, a visual language rooted in creation and shared across cultures and time. These patterns evoke a universal understanding and connect us to ancient civilizations, highlighting the continuity of symbolic expression.

I am fascinated by how tattoos serve as a form of visual communication—both personal and global. They embody identity, spirituality, and cultural exchange. In this work, I incorporate emojis and hashtags such as #apex and #Alpha, along with a fire emoji, referencing Jake’s online persona and the digital language we use to express power, desirability, and status.

This piece also questions the biological and evolutionary function of social media. Platforms like Instagram have become arenas for tribal competition, where likes and comments serve as social validation. They allow individuals to showcase their “personal assets” to a global audience, reinforcing desirability and influence.

Jake enhances his beauty with tattoos inspired by Eastern traditions, adapted to appeal to a global audience connected through his mobile phone—a symbol of the hive mind that is his following. This raises questions about identity, self-presentation, and the role of technology in shaping our evolution.

Virahanka’s Bouquet reflects on how humans draw from nature to enhance themselves, how technology and biology intertwine, and how narratives—both historical and personal—are constructed, recycled, and reimagined over time. It invites viewers to consider who controls these narratives, how they evolve, and what they reveal about our collective journey. 

For further information about the construction and themes of this piece please click this link.