As an artist of Indian heritage, born and raised in Delhi, India, my relationship with these cultural and spiritual traditions is not purely academic. The stories, symbols, rituals, and visual language of Indian culture have formed part of the environment that shaped my understanding of identity, spirituality, and artistic expression from an early age.
During the research and development of Black Lioness, I became increasingly fascinated by Goddess Kali, one of the most powerful and complex figures within Hindu tradition.
Often misunderstood through representations of destruction and fury, Kali embodies a far deeper philosophy. She represents the force that removes illusion, destroys fear, confronts injustice, and creates space for renewal and transformation. Alongside her fierce presence exists a profound sense of protection, compassion, and maternal strength.
As I explored historical imagery, sacred texts, temple iconography, and contemporary interpretations of Kali, I became interested in the balance she holds between opposing forces: creation and destruction, power and tenderness, chaos and order, darkness and light.
What resonated most strongly with me was the idea that transformation often requires courage. Kali reminds us that growth is rarely comfortable, yet necessary for renewal.
These discoveries informed the development of Black Lioness, a body of work exploring feminine power, protection, resilience, and transformation through wearable sculpture.
Rather than creating a literal representation of the deity, the project draws upon the symbolism, emotional energy, and visual language associated with Kali. Elements such as layered ornamentation, protective forms, ceremonial references, sculptural silhouettes, and richly textured surfaces became vehicles through which these ideas could be explored.
As a migrant artist living between India and Aotearoa New Zealand, this research also became a reflection on cultural continuity. It reminded me that culture is not only inherited through objects and traditions, but through stories that travel across generations and remain relevant in contemporary life.
For me, Kali represents more than tradition. She represents the enduring power of culture to preserve knowledge, strengthen identity, and provide meaning across time, geography, and generations.