Nalini Malani had studied Indian caste system through the writings of French anthropologist Louis Dumont, which opened her eyes to societal problems. Identifying herself as an artist activist, themes of political and cultural conflict, displacement, human rights violation and suppression of women find constant voice in Malani’s art. The viewer can study Laying a Cable through these markers of inequality, where manual labourers are seen employed in grunt work, while being physically exposed—drawing comparison to dogs seated nearby, as the remainder of society turns a blind eye.
published references
Singh, Kishore, ed., A Visual History of Indian Modern Art, Volume VII: Alternate Sensibilities (New Delhi: DAG, 2015), p. 1187 Singh, Kishore, ed., Ways of Seeing: Women Artists | Women as Muse (New Delhi: DAG, 2021), p. 110
Nalini Malani
Laying a Cable
1983
Watercolour on paper
Enquiry Form
Nalini Malani
Laying a Cable
1983
Watercolour on paper
Image Request Form
Images from DAG’s Museum Collection are accessible to artists, educators and researchers for non-commercial, educational use. Submit your details below to request access to use this image.
