A woman’s body is a complex entity. A beloved muse for artists, an enigmatic terrain for lovers, and a wonder for mother nature. It continues to be celebrated, that is as long as it serves a purpose for patriarchy. When women have decided to take charge of their bodies-as independent creatures of pleasure, patriarchy has always found a way to suppress them. I’m talking about the times when women must bear the consequences of wearing what they want, loving whom they want and not having that baby, if they want. Through fighting shame, guilt and violence that women’s bodies are persistently subjected towards, they forget to celebrate them.
Photographer Roshni Kumar decided to change the way society perceives women’s bodies through “Pussy & Patron”- her photo series which is a bold and unapologetic tribute to female sexual freedom. “Society has always judged women’s sexuality. It has made us feel impure for having sex, called us names and made silenced our voices. So I wanted to create a series where women are shown fearless, confident, sexy and just really happy with their sexuality,” confesses Kumar who dapples between fashion styling and digital art.
The project presents the female body in masturbation, sex and self-love in a striking aesthetic choice of negative film. “I was a victim of societal pressure that led me to hate my body. After surviving cancer I came out with a whole new perspective- I started loving my flaws and my body for what it naturally is...” says Kumar, explaining her particular affinity towards the human body in her art. In the past her other projects like photo series BARE, has encouraged people to celebrate their bodily differences as opposed to being influenced by beauty standards set by society.
Unfortunately, ‘Pussy And Patron’, has been reported more than twice on Kumar’s Instagram. So through her artistic endeavours she hopes that, people will be sensitised towards the arbitrary discrimination of art as obscenity.
These are some of our favourite stills from Pussy & Patron.
All the images are credited to Roshni Kumar. You can see more of her work here.
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