Ancient Hindu society before the influences of western Faiths, Puritanism, and Colonizations was very free-thinking and progressive. The western world has managed to dumb down ancient texts such as the Kama Sutra to just a “sex position manual”, brand Eastern religions/faiths as vulgar/obscene, and this needs to stop. I had the honor of presenting at the Museum of Sex in NYC about Hinduism, Love, and the Kama Sutra.
Read MoreAs a lifelong practicing Hindu who adheres to the principle of Ahimsa, which means “nonviolence” meaning not to harm any living creature with your words, thoughts, or physically.
it boggles my mind that the 3 great Abrahamic faiths of the world Christianity, Judaism, and Islam lived in relative peace and unity, and gave the world beautiful art, architecture, and an interconnected culture before someone drank CUCKOO juice, and decided to fill their minds/hearts/brains/souls with hatred and expelled Jews and Muslims, which led to the bloody Spanish inquisition of 1492!
These are my reflections of the interconnectedness, unity, inspiration, and beauty, I saw through religion, faith, culture, and art.
Read MoreThis is the same issue many children of immigrants face if they don’t have light skin, light eyes, and a “white” name. We always have to prove our “Americaness” or our “Ethnic Identity” over and over again and frankly, it’s just EXHAUSTING.
I HATE the word “ETHNIC” which needs to be removed from the English language! Ethnic literally describes anyone who is not white! HOW RUDE!
I am sick/tired of folks confusing “Indian culture/communities/society” with the FAITH of Hinduism.
I always found solace, peace, and understanding in my faith in Hinduism though I grew up in a chaotic/mishmash often contradicting Indian/Hindu/American culture and society. For example, I never understood why “Brown/Indian” American women were made to feel ashamed to date, go to school dances, date/marry folks of other races, wear tank tops, bikinis, etc.
SOCIETY & COMMUNITIES create stupid rules, divisions, racism, sexism, hate, patriarchy, and bigotry, not FAITH.
Read MoreOne of my favorite artists, his life story and work have always fascinated and inspired me.
I had to design a 50 piece product design collection based on Van Gogh’s “Irises” & “Roses” beating out 200+ candidates to become the Head Designer for the Metropolitan Museum of Art. I did not eat or sleep for nearly a month while designing this collection because I wanted the position so badly. I thoroughly researched Van Gogh’s life, his paintings, his techniques, etc. Needless to say, I was “Goghed” out! But I learned so much through my research and appreciated this wonderful artist’s work!
I often wonder why the world dismisses artists as “freaks” “mentally unstable” “depressed” “crazy” (insert other derogatory labels here “ etc. Yet the world needs artists to entertain and bring beauty into the world! I wish the world would be more sympathetic and understanding towards artists and understand that sometimes to create beauty they suffer silently within themselves…..
Read MoreThe world says “to define my customer base” Well I find that really difficult for me! My customers that day included Japanese Grandmas, Latino Boys, Young African American Gay Men, Hipsters, Hindu folks, Muslim folks, Arab families, Turkish families, and many more! My work appeals to a wide range of races, nationalities, ages, demographics, etc. I believe that art and design are the way to bring together diverse communities.
Read More