Sultana's Dream

Chitra Ganesh’s print series Sultana’s Dream loosely illustrates Rokeya Sakhawat Hossain’s 1905 story of the same name. The original story imagines a world run by women who have invented solar power, hydrpower, and ensured equality, while men are kept indoors and subjected to the conditions of purdah. Ganesh’s interpretation of the story draws on an exuberant mix of South Asian artistic traditions, Afrofuturism, and her characteristically whimsical art style. This series is a true favorite that continuously inspires me, and I was so excited to see it featured in The Whitney’s recent exhibition Inheritance.