Expression of contemporary Thai and Indian artists in the perspective of feminism

Abstract

This article examines how feminist thought and cultural space intersect in the creative practices of contemporary female artists from Thailand and India. Rooted in Buddhist and Brahmanical Hindu traditions, both countries’ sociopolitical and gender structures influence these artists. The study focuses on 20 female artists, aged 30 and above, with over ten years of exhibition experience from 1960 to 2020. Using biographical methodology and in-depth interviews, supplemented by exhibition analysis and media sources, it explores their lived experiences and socio religion and cultural contexts shaping their art. Findings show feminist perspectives, adapted regionally and culturally, are central to their work. Their art transforms contemporary practice into personal and political spaces, expressing female identities and critiquing gendered power. By foregrounding these practices, this study makes a substantive contribution to the field of creativity research, elucidating how cultural and gendered contexts shape creative expression and providing critical insights into Eastern paradigms of artistic innovation. Moreover, the research underscores the dual role of these artists’ work as both a reflection of and a challenge to complex cultural landscapes.