We spent last weekend checking out Homologue, a group show by Soo Pei Jia and Smiha Kapoor. Interests in female and natural forms unite the two artists’ practices in unexpected ways.

Seeds are a recurring symbol in Kapoor’s photography works, as she views them as symbols of evolution. To her, their shapes and cross-sections recall the curvatures of the female body. On display is a selection of close-up portraits of her body together with seeds, which were taken by collaborator Saraswati Satyananda. 

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Accompanying these are Kapoor’s digital collages that blend landscape shots of Rajasthan and Scotland — two places that she travelled to with friends and has fond memories of — with detailed shots of local seeds. Considering the multiple years between taking photographs of her travels and the seeds, the artist views these collages as “performances through time and space.”  

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Then, there are Soo’s haunting miniature clay sculptures that focus on the “anthropomorphic, abject body.” Here, gentle faces bloom from split-open seeds, inspired by the artist’s interest in stillbirth.

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A glistening, flesh-like form bearing references to teratoma and umbilical cords sits alone on a bed of soil, encouraging us to consider both the familiarity and alien quality of certain body parts. 

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Overall, Homologue invites us to contemplate the parallels between the botanical and female body, while representing various stages of budding, blooming, and decay. It’s a small, neat show, and we definitely can’t wait to see what these two artists get up to next.

Homologue runs at Kult Kafe, 200 Turf Club Road until 31 July 2022. Click here to learn more.