Burakashi is a queer artist from Dhivehi Raajjé (the Maldives), whose artistic journey has been shaped by their experiences of navigating political unrest and religious extremism beneath the shadow of a failing dictatorship.
Currently based in Naarm (Melbourne, Australia) as a refugee, Burakashi’s music reflects the hypocrisy and hidden truths beneath the troubled waters of their former homeland.
Their music blends Dhivehi lyrics and south Asian sounds, with old-school hip hop, techno, and reggaeton beats, drawing listeners into the claustrophobic streets of Malé City—where they grew up surrounded by a range of influences, from cousins blasting bass music and reggaeton, to the frantic boom of bodu beru drums, the endless cacophony of construction, and the constant cheer of nationalistic propaganda on the radio.
In addition to music, Burakashi explores their experiences through writing, illustrations, photography, digital art, and film, offering a glimpse into the life of an islander who has been exiled from paradise.
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CONTENT WARNING: Self harm, suicide, abuse, homophobia
How You Make Me Feel | Digital | (2022)
There is a lot I want to say about this piece. I draw in an unplanned, organic way. When things appear in my imagination, I add them in.
I imagined hands coming down as spiders, throwing out hooks, manipulating my face, my emotions, how I appear to the outside world.
The hooks would pull and tear at my skin, as the lines pulled through bone and sinew.
Why illustrate such violence towards oneself? Well for one thing it is better than hurting my physical body.
Through the process of this illustration I realised I was expressing some deep traumas that I have not really addressed directly. When I look back at the body of my work, it is obvious where I have subconsciously explored these feelings. In deciding to make this piece with more focus, I found that it drained and took a lot out of me. I worked on it tirelessly until it all came into focus, and when it did, I felt a tidal wave of exhaustion but also relief.
I feel like the time is right to share these stories. They will provide context for this work.