Faculty of Design

Illustration

Thamara Perera

Cosmic Imbalance

“Cosmic Imbalance” uses the ancient South Asian composite deity, the Ardhanarishvara, to oppose the pervasive issues of gender inequality in present-day South Asian culture. The Ardhanarishvara is a half-male half-female deity, a composite form of the Hindu Gods Shakti and Shiva, that symbolizes the cosmic alliance and balance between male and female energies. This longstanding ancient belief of balance is contrasted with the current reality of gender inequality and gender-based violence.

“This illustration is a part of my Thesis series, May the Yakshi Rise Again! that contrasts South Asian women's issues with various feminist aspects of ancient South Asian culture. "Cosmic Imbalance" compares the Ardhanarishvara, a half male-half female deity that symbolizes the cosmic alliance between male and female energies with the issue of gender inequality.”