ISTRI SERIES: CAT'S CRADLE, 2025

This hand-carved wood sculpture with detailed painting is part of the artist’s Istri series—istri meaning both “smoothing iron” in South Asia and “woman/wife” in India. The painted thread encircling the woman’s head covering and lower bar, manipulated into a cat’s cradle by two hands, symbolizes the control and manipulation of women’s lives. The work also references restrictive laws, such as mandatory head coverings in Iran, that govern women’s bodies and freedoms.