Anatomy of Power

Gender biases and sexual exploitation, faith and violence, are boldly examined by Piyali Sadhukhan, finds Anirudh Chari.

- Anirudh Chari

Piyali Sadhukhan. Annunciation. Glass bangles, Nepali handmade paper, cotton, synthetic adhesive, acrylic on canvas. 84” x 60”. 2021. Image courtesy of the artist and Akar Prakar.

Kingdom of Cards, Piyali Sadhukhan’s solo at Akar Prakar’s New Delhi space, was on view from December 4th, 2021, to January 14th, 2022. An exploration of faith, gender, sexuality and violence, it used visceral images to show the mechanisms of power and control that are used to divide communities. Visuals with personal, social and cultural significance came together to form a subtle and perhaps even an ironic narrative which could be read as a dialogue between the past and the present, the traditional and the contemporary.