Jupiter Pradhan (he/him)

Jupiter Pradhan delves into the complex interplay of social, political, and cultural dynamics in contemporary Nepalese society. He believes that art, throughout history, serves as a reflective lens on reality and beyond, revealing the subtle intricacies concealed from ordinary perception. With a commitment to unveiling these hidden facets of our dynamic yet nuanced reality, he reimagines Western stories such as Gulliver’s Travels and relates it to neocultural colonialism in Nepal.

Jupiter Pradhan holds a BFA in painting from the Tribhuvan University (2005) and a MFA in painting from the University of Development Alternative, Dhaka, Bangladesh (2009). He is the founder/trustee of Space A, for interdisciplinary art practice.

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Reimagining a scene from Gulliver’s Travels, a cherished story from Jupiter Pradhan’s childhood, The Protectors comments on the complexities of cultural evolution and the burgeoning impact of neocultural colonialism, the desire of wealthy nations to control the values of other nations through cultural means for their own economic reasons. Inspired by the Rubin Museum’s sculpture of Mahakala, here Mahakala is positioned as a hero akin to Gulliver, becoming the advocate or “the protector” of local cultural preservation, prompting a reflection on balancing autonomy and external influences, and urging viewers to cherish and safeguard the country’s heritage and identity. The installation features traditional Nepalese masks, military toys from 1990s Nepal, and a body cast of the artist.

This object from the Rubin Museum’s collection is presented in the Reimagine exhibition in dialogue with The Protectors, inviting new ways of encountering traditional Himalayan art.