In Princess Pea’s new collection of works, poetry, craft and the divine femininity coalesce with grace. The anonymous visual and performance artist, recognised by her large anime-inspired headgear, challenges patriarchal norms by examining feminist literature, mythology and traditional artisanship. Her latest collection, Paracosm: Proposals for the Future, is no exception. It draws inspiration from the poetry of Somali British poet Warsan Shire and the silent voices of village women. The collection was showcased at the Soho House Lounge during the second edition of Art Mumbai. Displayed throughout the lounge were nine new prints, serving as proposals for large sculptures she hopes to bring to life.
Princess Pea’s relationship with Soho House has been longstanding. “It all began nearly seven years ago when they approached me about creating works for Soho House Mumbai,” she says. Over time, this association flourished, leading to more projects in London and ultimately earning her the runner-up position for the 2020 Soho House Art Prize. Following this recognition, conversations about creating a limited-edition print began, culminating in the launch of her first piece, Kali 2020, which received an incredible response. “This year, I was invited to propose something for the Soho Lounge at Art Mumbai. Since I had been working on a new body of work, I decided to share it. I am thrilled to announce the release of another limited edition print, Kali 2,” she says. Speaking about the showcase, Kate Bryan, chief art director at Soho House, says, “Art is a core part of the Soho House ethos, from the permanent collection, which champions talent local to each site, to the partnerships we enjoy with cultural organizations.”
Princess Pea’s sculptures are a remarkable collaborative effort between the artist and traditional toy artisans from Etikoppaka, a coastal village in Andhra Pradesh. With Paracosm, she envisions her prints coming to life as sculptural objects that would serve as enduring symbols of our shared need for solidarity.
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