Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Multiculturalism for Steampunk Entry: Ganesha and the Empress of India

Just for fun I am posting an illustration to enter a "Multiculturalism for Steampunk" challenge.

http://thesteamerstrunk.blogspot.com/2012/01/new-feature-weekly-art-challenge.html

The following illustration is called "Ganehsa and the Empress of India".



Ganesha and the Empress of India

Watercolor Illustration on Bristol Board
Steampunk Series
11" x 14"
Copyright 2010

This painting is symbolic of Queen Victoria's reign in India and how the native peoples of India [represented by the mechanical elephant symbolizing the Hindu god "Ganesha"] were made to be the  work force supporting the British Empire. The Victorian lady symbolically represents Queen Victoria in 1880s attire with a gas mask that symbolizes this toxic situation for the people of India. Queen Victoria was called "The Empress of India"  from May 1st, 1876 in an act of Parliament. The mechanical elephant has a melancholy expression. The land is barren and the sky reflects the toxic atmosphere.

Thank you for your consideration :)

Denise Farinsky

References:
http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/india/1877empressvictoria.asp

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ganesha

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