Laxmi Manuela's Transformative Art Is A Powerful Celebration Of The Female Body

Laxmi Manuela takes the traditional representation of the female nude and tosses it aside in spectacular style. Art history is filled with nakedness. To be specific, it’s filled with naked women depicted by men. Often there’s a mythological or allegorical explanation; occasionally it’s more about holding up a mirror to contemporary society. Either way, the women tend to be reclining, laid out for male viewing pleasure. Manuela isn’t the first to twist the traditional view of a sexually available female subject. A survey of the The Metropolitan Museum of Art found that less than five per cent of the artists in the modern galleries were women, while eighty-five per cent of the nudes in those galleries were female.

Sometimes subverting things means saturating them. Manuela’s works are populated by, among others, an amorphous mother figure with breasts and a belly. Her powerful nude portraits are hopeful and bright. They remind us how fragile the human condition is when you strip back the basic parts of the self: gender, sexuality, race. And, clothing. Free from social signifiers, the body has room to breathe. We’re able to explore how it’s presented and perceived. We’re able to understand policing of the female body — its sexual urges, its size and shape, its rights to exposure or concealment. 

Art has long been a medium for both women’s repression and resistance. Artists have the power to keep difficult subjects in the public conversation. Through Manuela, we can see how art can reflect the complexity of female experience, and what an impact a real woman with agency and intellect might have if she assumed the status of an art object. Manuela is a riposte to the supine nudes of art history — those perfected cultural objects untroubled by bodily functions, sexual cravings, or a life of the mind. She speaks of the power of the body as an active image rather than the same old, pacified, immobilised body.

1. What does art mean to you? How have your background and experiences influenced your work?

I’m an artist based in Rotterdam with roots in both India and Suriname, which has shaped my perspective on identity and culture in unique ways. I grew up in Rotterdam, where the city’s vibrancy and diversity have deeply influenced my work. In my studio, I create canvas pieces that allow me to explore themes on a more intimate scale. My work also includes mural paintings, which give me the opportunity to share these themes with a larger audience in public spaces. Through my art, I aim to address identity, transformation, and empowerment, creating a bridge between personal stories and broader cultural reflections. Art is my way of connecting with people and inspiring open conversations.

You have an extremely distinct style. How did you come into it? Give us an insight into your process. How would you describe it?

My style evolved over time as I worked to express personal themes in a way that felt authentic to me. I began with self-portraits, which helped me capture my own journey and understand how to translate experiences into visual form. Through experimenting with color and form, I developed a more fluid, bold style that allows me to layer in personal stories and cultural reflections. My process is intuitive; I start with a feeling or idea and let it evolve naturally, especially when working in the studio. With mural paintings, however, there’s a different dynamic — I get to interact directly with the public as they pass by and respond to my work in real time. This interaction adds an incredible energy to the creative process, making murals both challenging and rewarding. Each medium, whether canvas or wall, allows me to explore my ideas in unique ways.

Why did you choose to work with and reclaim the nude? What’s the vision and intention behind this?

Working with the nude allows me to address cultural norms, especially the expectations placed on women in many societies, about what is considered acceptable or appropriate. Personally, I’ve experienced the taboo surrounding sexuality, particularly through the lens of my (Indian) cultural background. There were unspoken rules growing up about what could be expressed or discussed, especially regarding sexuality. By depicting the nude in my work, I aim to create a space of freedom, individuality, and authenticity. It’s more than just a visual choice — it’s a way to challenge conventions and celebrate the body in its natural form. This approach allows me to connect with viewers on a very raw, personal level, inviting them to feel seen and accepted. I hope my work inspires others to embrace themselves fully, without fear of judgment.

What are you currently fascinated by, and how is it feeding into your work? 

I’m currently fascinated by themes of identity, particularly how queerness and motherhood shape our sense of self. These aspects are deeply personal and are making me rethink how identity can be expressed and redefined. Queerness and motherhood bring their own unique challenges and perspectives, and I’m still exploring how these influence my life and work. In my art, I’m figuring out ways to express these elements. For example, one recent mural I created in Italy was my first as a mother, and it focused on the theme of motherhood. This piece felt especially meaningful because it allowed me to celebrate the journey of motherhood in a very public way. I’m hopeful that by following my passion, I can inspire other mothers to embrace their dreams as well, showing that pursuing one’s art and purpose is possible alongside parenting. This mural symbolizes that balance and the strength in finding joy in both.

Follow Laxmi here.

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