The Women Who Came Before Me is an exploration of identity through the relationships I have held with the women in my family history. At the heart of this project is my mother, whose influence on me has been the most profound. She is not only the central figure of this work, but also the thread that connects the past to the present. While some of the women in my family were never known to me, my mother’s presence has shaped my life in ways that are both tangible and deeply emotional.

Through mixed-media installations, I pair family photographs with dupattas—fabrics handpicked and worn by my mother. These dupattas serve as symbols of continuity and legacy, embodying the intergenerational link between her and the women who came before her. The intimate connection between my mother and these textiles highlights the significance of her influence, while also offering a deeper understanding of how women shape one another across time.

In my exploration of identity studies, I’ve noticed the lack of historical research on the South Asian diaspora, particularly the stories of women within it. This absence of recognition calls into question whose histories are preserved and valued. The Women Who Came Before Me is my way of documenting this history—especially my mother’s—whose story has shaped not only my own identity but the legacy I continue to carry forward.

The women in these photographs, with my mother as the anchor, are more than figures from the past. They are the pillars of the future, their influence living on in the generations that follow. Through this project, I seek to honor their contributions, preserve their stories, and create a space for their legacies to be remembered.

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