Meet artist Nimisha Bhanot whose pinup series celebrates sexually liberated Indian women

Indo-Canadian artist Nimisha Bhanot says she had the idea for a 'Badass Indian Pinup' series in 2012, when she heard about Jyoti Singh's rape and murder in Delhi. She describes the series as "a body of work which appropriates classic pinup paintings by American vintage pinup artists from an Indian perspective." She writes on her website that "having a bicultural identity and not knowing where you belong plays a big part in the sexual identity of Indo-Canadian women. This series aims to sexually liberate the Indian woman in a way that is normalized and desensitized by North American culture but still seen as taboo in a very patriarchal Indian society."

In each of the 'Badass Indian Pinup' paintings, a young Indian woman is shown as sexually liberated and looking directly at the viewer. "All figures stare directly at their audience, revelling in their sexual allure, confronting heir expectations of how "good Indian girls" should be," says Nimisha. 

In an exclusive interview with dna, Nimisha Bhanot speaks about her paintings, inspiration and more. 

How did you come up with the 'Badass Indian Pinup' series?

The Badass Indian Pinup series is a continuation of a painting I did in 2013 titled Badass Indian Cop. This painting was painted in a style closer to my original portraiture but was composed to mimic pinup culture. I decided to continue the pinup idea but have fun by appropriating vintage American pinups from the 40s and 50s by adding a South Asian twist.

Karvachauth by Nimisha Bhanot (Image: Banga Studios)

How would describe the Indian woman of today? 

I think the Indian woman of today is more connected, aware and liberated than ever before and that's why I love doing what I do. I feel it's my duty as an artist to document current themes in my work. 

Being bi-cultural (Indo-Canadian), does it give you a different perspective on women's issues in India?

I think it gives me a unique perspective that is borne to anyone that's had to find a happy medium between two cultures throughout their livelihood. 

You also did a series called Badass Bahus.

The series takes inspiration from vintage pinups, but is rendered in my original style of portraiture. In this series, I am using the female gaze and pinup style composition to confront patriarchal expectations of the Indian woman as a housewife.

Not Your Mom's Bahu by Nimisha (Image: Banga Studios)

What's your opinion on Hindi TV serials?

I have seen them in the past, but I tend to avoid them as I feel many of them tend to be overdramatised.overdramatised.

As a painter, what inspires you the most?

I am most inspired by people around me that continue to break rules and societal expectations everyday. I love art that breaks rules too. Some of my favourite artists include Sarah Maple, Kehinde Wiley and Jackson Pollock.

'Money, Kitty Parties & Clothes Is All A Bahu Knows' by Nimisha (Image: Banga Studios)

What are you working on next?

My next series will hopefully begin in the middle of April. This series is called South Asian Diaspora and Social Media and will use portraiture to honor first and second generations South Asians who use social media as a tool for their social activism. I'm really looking forward to this series because I'll be addressing issues regarding sexual, racial and gender identity. So stay tuned!