A NEW MALE GAZE

Rosie the Riveter, a pop culture icon from the 1940s, was a bulked-up woman in bandanna and overalls, meant to boost the morale of women working in factories and shipyards during World War II. ‘We can do it,’ she said.

Over the years, she became a feminist icon too, and was reinterpreted multiple times, to represent marginalised women, African-Americans etc.

Ishfaq Zaman’s Rosie is a dark-skinned Indian with black hair tied up in a bun, wearing a kurta, bindi and nose pin.

Her ‘Keep moving’ is both feminist and literal — the character was created by the Bengaluru-based illustrator for a realty portal specialising in homes on rent.

“I’ve never really been able to connect with popular art because I never saw myself in it and this is what I wanted to change. This is where South Asian artists fill the gap. All we need to do is keep our roots in mind,” says Zaman, 26.

Also in Zaman’s portfolio is Space Boots, an Indian superwoman and galactic warrior. She wears a salwar kameez complete with dupatta, bindi and bangles, and carries a blaster in one hand and has a belt of explosives around her waist.

“You don’t associate South Asian characters with superheroes and it is even harder to imagine women in those roles,” Zaman says.

“So I drew Space Boots as a tribute to the Indian woman. She’s wearing what she is comfortable in and can defend what’s hers without help from any man.”

The hashtag, Zaman says, finally gave his work some exposure.

“What I feel best about is that people haven’t stopped commenting about how much they like the work,” he says.

“Their comments make me feel accomplished because my aim was to make everyone feel included.”