Arpita Shah: Modern Muse

This compelling body of work, which has garnered acclaim across the UK, will be exhibited in Ireland for the first time, offering audiences a powerful and intimate exploration of South Asian female identity in contemporary Britain.

Modern Muse is an ongoing series of portraits that explores the shifting identities and representations of young British-Asian women, many of whom live and work in Birmingham and the West Midlands. At the heart of Modern Muse is Shah’s desire to address and challenge Western notions of the ‘muse’, historically framed as passive and often white. By replacing the Mughal emperors of classical art with modern British-Asian women, Shah not only subverts historical portrayals but also redefines the role of the muse, celebrating the strength, diversity, and individuality of each woman.

Drawing inspiration from the aesthetics of Mughal and Indian miniature paintings, Shah also subverts traditional, often male-dominated, portrayals of women from ancient and pre-colonial times. Through her artwork, she reframes these historical narratives, elevating her modern sitters and presenting them as empowered muses. “Challenging the traditional depictions of South Asian women in Mughal art was important to me,” Shah reflects. “I wanted to create a space where contemporary British-Asian women could see themselves represented with agency and pride.”

Shah’s photographic practice, which frequently interrogates the intersections of culture, identity, and heritage, is deeply influenced by her own migratory background, having lived between India, Ireland, the Middle East, and the UK. This rich experience informs her exploration of the concepts of home, belonging, and cultural displacement—themes that are intricately woven into Modern Muse.

The exhibition features portraits of a diverse range of women, including artists, academics, activists, and educators. Each portrait is accompanied by excerpts from conversations Shah had with her sitters, in which they discuss their experiences of identity, representation, and heritage. Through this collaborative approach, Shah ensures that the women’s voices and stories are central to the work, offering nuanced insights into the lived experiences of young South Asian women in contemporary Britain.

Commissioned by GRAIN Projects in 2019, Modern Muse has been widely recognised for its critical and artistic significance.