How do childhood encounters with Western comics and traditional Hindu/ Buddhism goddess iconography converge in Shraddha Shrestha’s work to reimagine and celebrate the complexities of womanhood across generational and cultural lines?
When I first encountered Shraddha Shrestha’s Dus Mahavidyas (2023), I had just descended from the fourth floor to the third, still processing the abundance of artworks I’d seen above. Yet, the painting titled Sangraha immediately caught my attention. Its vibrant red palette, interwoven with clean, playful lines are very eye-catching.
Do you also find it familiar like I do? Isn’t this reminiscent of The Powerpuff Girls?
Intrigued and slightly skeptical of my own observation, I stepped closer. The artist’s biography confirmed my thoughts: “Shraddha blends traditional Hindu and Buddhist figures with the animation styles prevalent in the West during the 1990s and beyond, exemplified by shows such as The Powerpuff Girls.”
This realization reminded me of a visit last month to a Korean pop-up store in downtown Chicago, where I saw The Powerpuff Girls reimagined as K-pop Idols-New Jeans for fan merchandise. It struck me how, after 2020, The Powerpuff Girls gained renewed popularity among Gen Z, which makes perfect sense—it’s a standout cultural icon, appealing even to adults for its humor and charm. It feels timeless, yet the characters have that stylish, trendy vibe that aligns with today’s cultural moment. Their core themes also resonate with the current rise in women’s empowerment, showing how The Powerpuff Girls was way ahead of its time in terms of character design, ideology, and aesthetics.
The last time I watched The Powerpuff Girls was over 20 years ago, during my early teenage years. At the time, the show was a rare and bold example of “girl power” animation, following in the footsteps of Sailor Moon. Unlike Sailor Moon’s adolescent heroines navigating the challenges of growing up, The Powerpuff Girls featured a trio of kindergarten-aged superheroes whose innocence and simplicity-made them stood apart from other female heroes like Wonder Woman, whose portrayal often carried undertones of sensuality. Blossom, Bubbles, and Buttercup were pure embodiments of empowerment, breaking traditional gender norms while maintaining their playful, childlike essence. (1)
Despite controversies surrounding The Powerpuff Girls, such as concerns about its potential to encourage aggression among young viewers, its significance remains undeniable. At a time when female superheroes were scarce, the show offered an unapologetically fearless and dynamic portrayal of girls who fought for justice and shattered stereotypes. It redefined traditional gender roles, presenting girls not as those who required protection but as protectors themselves. (2) Shraddha likely shares this perspective, finding empowerment in this groundbreaking cartoon during her own formative years. Shraddha and me, artists from Asia, experienced the influence of Western cartoons—a reflection of the inevitable cultural exchanges brought about by globalization.
Another connection Shraddha has to her art is rooted in her upbringing in Patan, a historic city in the Kathmandu Valley. As she shared in an interview:
She grew up surrounded by the rich cultural heritage of Patan, close to the Patan Durbar Square, a UNESCO World Heritage site. The medieval Newar architecture, temples, festivals, and a close-knit community left a deep imprint on her. These cultural and religious icons have profoundly shaped her artistic practice. (3)
Shraddha’s mother also played an essential role in fostering her creativity. As she recalled, her mother, a teacher, bought her first comic book and encouraged her to engage in extracurricular activities. This support was particularly meaningful since the rest of her family, including her father, who ran a grocery store, was skeptical about her decision to pursue art. Her mother’s encouragement laid the foundation for Shraddha’s artistic journey, connecting the generational support of women to her celebration of femininity in her works. Later, she pursued a Master of Fine Arts in Glasgow, England, which also shaped her artistic vision.
As we can see, Shraddha’s inspirations are also, like many of us who grew up in the early 2000s, her days often ended with long hours in front of the TV, devouring cartoons on Cartoon Network. Her exposure to The Powerpuff Girls and other Western animations heavily influenced her visual storytelling. These animations, characterized by bold outlines, vibrant colors, and exaggerated features, blend seamlessly with the intricate iconography of Hindu and Buddhist traditions in her works.
Shraddha’s Dus Mahavidyas series reimagines the Hindu Wisdom Goddesses, including figures like Matangi and Kamala, whose mainstream forms are represented by goddesses such as Sarasvati and Lakshmi. These goddesses hold central roles in Hindu festivals like Diwali, during which homes are adorned to invite their blessings. Families beautify their houses, clean entrances with red mud clay, and light oil lamps to honor deities such as Lakshmi, seeking prosperity and good fortune. (4) A related object, Lotus Goddess, a 17th-century Nepalese artifact from the Rubin Museum’s collection, aligns with the cultural heritage inspiring Shraddha’s work- Kamala. Kamala is her Tantric form, representing both material and spiritual abundance. Both are depicted with lotuses, symbolizing purity and growth.
Shraddha’s reinterpretation, however, moves away from the intricate rituals and traditional iconography typically associated with these deities. Instead, she presents them through a playful and simplified touch. Her work explores the imaginative possibility of representing these goddesses as spiritual beings. This concept draws on parallels between the “monstrous” features of Western depictions of aliens—such as multiple eyes, arms, or heads—and the divine attributes of Hindu deities. This inventive approach not only makes her work accessible to contemporary audiences but also challenges conventional interpretations, prompting viewers to reexamine mythology and cultural symbolism.
One of the most striking aspects of Shraddha’s work is its commentary on caste and human inequality. While many Hindu deities are associated with purity, Matangi, Tantric form of Sarasvati, the goddess of wisdom, art, and speech, breaks this norm. She is admired by people from lower castes, who are often excluded from temples and sacred spaces. Offerings to Matangi can include leftover food and even menstruation-stained fabric—a radical departure from the pristine offerings demanded by other deities. This inclusivity inspired Shraddha to include a menstrual cup in her painting, symbolizing acceptance and breaking taboos around menstruation. This painting has conversation to Uma Bista’s photography work about menstruation taboo in Nepal down the hallway which you can take a look later.
“If the higher power isn’t discriminating, then who are we to discriminate?” (5) Shraddha’s reflection highlights the hypocrisy of a society that simultaneously worships female deities and marginalizes women. Her work challenges these contradictions, urging viewers to question and dismantle the patriarchal structures embedded in religious and social practices.
In addition, Shraddha’s art exemplifies the effects of globalization, blending the traditional with the contemporary. Her juxtaposition of Hindu and Buddhist iconography with Western animation styles reflects her experience of living in two cultural spheres simultaneously. As she explained, “I wanted to see how these traditional icons could be represented in a more playful way, influenced by the cartoons and comics I grew up with.”
Do you think this painting leans more towards Eastern or Western influence?
Shraddha’s reimagining of Hindu Wisdom Goddesses through the lens of Western animation exemplifies a cross-cultural approach that reflects broader global trends in art and media, where the boundaries between East and West increasingly blur. Her work bridges these worlds, creating a shared language that resonates with audiences from diverse backgrounds.
Shraddha’s Dus Mahavidyas reimagine the spirit of The Powerpuff Girls in a parallel universe, transforming them into Hindu Goddesses of Wisdom. The playful power of Blossom, Bubbles, and Buttercup evolves into the wisdom and strength of Sarasvati, Lakshmi. Both celebrate girl power, whether as superheroes or divine protectors, offering representations of femininity that are bold, dynamic, and inspiring.
Shraddha’s art invites us to reconsider traditional narratives and embrace new possibilities. It reminds us that femininity is multi-layered—playful yet profound, traditional yet modern. By blending the sacred with the mundane, Shraddha celebrates the enduring relevance of mythology while making it accessible to contemporary audiences. Her work is a testament to the power of art to bridge cultures and challenge stereotypes.
Bibliography
Please sign up to receive our weekly E-News, full of timely and insightful information about our exhibitions, artists, and programs.
See Them First–Spring's Most Anticipated Exhibitions Now on Sale
"Martin Wong: Chinatown USA"
"Dispossessions in the Americas"
"Statue of Athena" on long term view.