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‘Truth and Tears’ by Charis Loke

For all the grand gestures and daring deeds of men, the truth has always been quite simple, the woman thinks. 

Behind her, the warrior declares: “You asked and we built. Bridges of gold and silver, rising above the jungles from the mountain to the sea. Up these slopes we carried seven jars of virgin tears; seven barrels of betel nut juice; seven trays of mosquito hearts–”

Long they laboured, all those suffering souls, for a man too blind to see: not all are bound to love him. 

“Come with me, o princess, and we may have a life together! Let us leave–”

Two men, she corrects herself. The truth has always been clear and bright as the tip of a keris above cold waters. I want for no one, and that is the truth none can perceive. 

5.5 x 9″, Chinese calligraphy ink on printmaking paper.

Done for the 2019 Month of Love challenges, “Tears” and “Truth”. Part of Kejora, sketches and stories inspired by Southeast Asian cultures and realities.

In the legend of Puteri Gunung Ledang (the Fairy Princess of Mount Ophir), she presents seven impossible demands to the Sultan of Melaka, who has asked for her hand in marriage despite already being married to more than one wife.

In some versions of the story, he is about to fulfill the final condition - a bowl of blood from his only son - when the princess appears to chastise him for his greed and entitlement. In other versions, his own warrior falls in love with the princess and is never seen again in the kingdom.

The truth has always been quite simple.

See sketches and process on Patreon; follow for more art on Instagram and Twitter. Portfolio at http://charisloke.com.