Redefining Women and Desire Through Art
- Artlune
- Oct 16
- 3 min read
“I don't link nudity with sex. Nudity is natural and not sexualised or degrading. Nudity itself is a pure creation which is done by god.” (Sheli Gupta)
Sheli Gupta, a visual artist based in Delhi, explores the hidden sexual desires of women and the societal restrictions around them. Her work captures the beauty of folded and unfolded desires, challenging norms that treat women as objects.
In a society where expressing desire is often met with judgment or shame, Sheli’s art encourages openness, respect, and the idea that suppressing desires goes against human nature. Through bold experiments with materials like cloth, paper, thread, and wire, she brings these themes to life in unexpected ways.
Sheli’s Artistic Roots
Art was part of Sheli’s everyday life. Her father and grandfather were both artists, so conversations about creativity and the world of art were normal. Her family supported her early on, but things changed when she chose a bold and unconventional path. Exploring female nudity and hidden desires was followed by criticism, rejection, and questions.
During her MFA from the College of Art, Delhi, Sheli found her voice. Encouraged by her professor to stay honest and trust herself, she realised that art isn’t only about images but also about starting conversations. Today, every canvas she paints is an act of courage, revealing truths society often avoids.
Giving Voice to the Hidden
Sheli’s work focuses on what society often silences. Women in India are rarely taught to talk about their sexual desires, and the vocabulary to express them is limited. Cultural norms dictate that women be shy and submissive in sexual matters, and speaking about desire often brings embarrassment, judgment, or guilt. Through her art, Sheli challenges these restrictions and creates space for women’s inner lives to be acknowledged and respected.
Art That Speaks
Sheli experiments with materials like cloth, paper, thread, and wire, exploring their forms, textures, and colours in ways that often feel like happy accidents. Her main medium is thread, which she first studied in her Bachelor’s program.
For Sheli, thread mirrors the nature of women, strong yet delicate, yet also vulnerable to breaking. It allows her to express emotion, complexity, and resilience on canvas.
Inspiration and Perspective
Early on, Sheli focused on female subjectivity: hidden desires, unspoken emotions, and inner worlds. Artists like Jitin Das and K.H. Ara influenced her understanding of what art can do. Sheli believes that “art captures silent emotions that can feel like a tornado, expressed through the artist’s hand and seen in the viewer’s eyes.”
The nude has long fascinated artists, evolving from a symbol of female power and fertility to something often seen as erotic or shameful. Kenneth Clark’s “A Nude” reminds us that the nude is an idealised form; art in itself, not just a body. Sheli uses this distinction to explore deeper truths about women and society, expressing what is often hidden and challenging cultural perceptions.
Changing Perspectives Through Art
At its heart, Sheli’s art is about questioning norms and giving women a voice. She wants society to see women as individuals with desires, dignity, and freedom, not objects defined by restrictive values. Her work is an invitation to confront discomfort, rethink perceptions, and embrace the truth of human nature with openness and respect.
Artlune is more than a gallery; it's a movement to showcase the voices of emerging and mid-career artists from South Asia.
For more information, contact us at admin@artlune.com or call +91 9899187125 (India), +44 743 693 3096 (UK)
