Literature

Rushdie The Puppet critiques the transformation of Salman Rushdie, once celebrated as a champion of free speech and a critic of fundamentalism, into what the artist perceives as a figure complicit in Western narratives. Known for The Satanic Verses, which sparked global controversy and led to decades of persecution, Rushdie symbolised the struggle for intellectual freedom. However his recent comments mark a departure from his earlier ethos. In this work, the artist caricatures Rushdie through abstracted forms—two converging lines evoke his distinctive eyebrows and eyes, centralising his image as both icon and critique. This work speaks of journeys of the mind and interrogates power, cultural identity, and shifting allegiances in politically charged landscapes.