Ellora Srivastava Karmic colonialism

The idea for my body of work, Karmic colonialism, stemmed from my own Indian heritage, and my interest in the complexity of Indian colonisation through trade and conquest by the British, Dutch, Portuguese and French. In each piece I reappropriate an artwork from one of these colonising countries, using both the traditional Indian practice of miniature painting and the contemporary technique of digital collage. My work is an amalgamation of Indian and European art styles through a historical lens – a powerful illustration of the way art can communicate the pillage of culture by colonial powers.

Influencing artists:
Yinka Shonibare
Kate Beynon
Shahzia Sikander
James Ettelson
Guan Wei
Nusra Latif Qureshi