Inspired by the iron cages and barriers placed around sacred deities across the Kathmandu Valley, this work reflects on the vulnerability of cultural and spiritual heritage in the face of theft, neglect, and displacement. The title questions the irony of divine protectors themselves requiring protection.
The composition references the Aṣṭamātṛkā through their respective vāhanas, emphasizing symbolic presence and absence simultaneously. Rather than depicting the goddesses directly, the work evokes what remains visible and what has already been lost.
From the historic city of Bhaktapur, Rudrakshya Man Pradhan draws deep inspiration from its traditions and festivals. With a foundation in Fine Arts from Sirjana College and ongoing studies at Kathmandu University, his practice reflects a growing engagement with both heritage and contemporary thought.
