The Slave (and Her Slave) 2009

"The Slave (and Her Slave)" (2009) by Indian photographer Pushpamala N is a striking black and white photograph that deconstructs colonial and Orientalist imagery. It depicts a young woman, dressed in a traditional Indian outfit, being adorned by a woman who appears to be her servant. The scene is reminiscent of a classic painting, but the artist's use of contemporary props, such as a hookah and a painted backdrop, subverts the romanticized image of the East often presented in colonial art. This work challenges viewers to consider the power dynamics at play and the ongoing legacy of Orientalist representations.