“Ode to my South Asian heritage” - Inspired by Ravi Verma paintings and my love for light and learning to embrace my heritage.

“This series is a personal project celebrating my South Asian heritage, inspired by the 18th-century Indian painter Ravi Verma. His works beautifully blend the influences of the Dutch Masters with the rich traditions of 18th-century Indian culture.

In creating this project, I collaborated with my daughter, mom, and sister, alongside self-portraiture, to recreate the artworks. I incorporated pieces and props passed down through generations, along with sarees and items I’ve collected over time, aiming to leave fragments of my culture for future generations.

Through my interpretation of these paintings as photographs, I infuse modernity and playfulness into the narrative. This reflects the duality of my upbringing, where Eastern and Western cultures intertwine. While I strive to keep the essence of Verma’s art alive, I also make these photographs distinctly my own.”

Original paintings grid below by Ravi Verma that were an inspiration to the series above.