Pravaas: Queering The Homes

This project is an exploration of the ways in which queer homes are negotiated and reimagined in the face of displacement. It encompasses a set of paintings representative of shubh (good/fortunate), dhund (blur/blurry), sanjha (shared/sharing), kaidi (captive/prisoner), kadi (key/judge) and darpan (mirror/reflection).

These sets of paintings on fabric explore the dynamic of queer homes experienced by individuals as they displace from diverse places and situations. The concept of home holds acute significance within queer communities, serving as a site of identity formation, community building, and resistance. The shift from insider to outsider is evoked through a series of paintings drawing influence from the textile arts subculture, as the viewer enters and interacts.

My work calls for laying a clear groundwork for the intention and my position as a queer artist. For many queer individuals in India, the act of moving out of their family homes represents a pivotal milestone and a fundamental pursuit of personal freedom and authenticity. Perhaps because the concept of home for most people evokes the establishment of a functional family, there is no in-depth academic inquiry about the ‘queer home’ in India. Here, home is recognized as spaces for care founded off of relationships and solidarity.