Kunwar Prithvi Singh Rathore

Location: New York, New York

Medium: Photography

Education and Experience: MFA in Photography, Pratt institute- Graduated, 2024. Studio Manager- Yigal Ozeri Studios.

Open to commissions: Yes

Email: prithvisinghblu@gmail.com

Social: https://www.instagram.com/kunwar_prithvi_singh_rathore/

Website: https://www.kprithvi.com/

My work delves into broader themes of patriarchy and toxic masculinity within the context of a traditional middle-class South Asian family—specifically my own. The work highlights the complex power dynamics that often strain relationships within such families. My father has always had a deep passion for art, and ironically, he is the very reason I pursued a career in the arts. However, unlike my elder brother, who fulfills the role of the ideal son my father envisioned, I’ve never adhered to his expectations of what it means to be a “man” in our society. My brother plays an important role as a mediator between my father and me, understanding both of our perspectives. I document my father and brother in various settings in India, wearing ethnic clothing and jewelry designed by my father. I also make photographs of men that I’ve gotten to know in New York, creating a contrast between familial and other relationships. A unique aspect of this project involves incorporating archival family images I discovered in India, which contrast the innocence and togetherness of photographs in that vernacular genre with the pictures of my life as an adult that are more subjective and less conventional. Through my art, I challenge the expectations of men like my father, who, despite their creativity and talent, struggle to express vulnerability or appreciation toward their sons, or other family members. I have many questions for my father, and I feel the answers are revealed through my photographs, this allows me to see him not just as a paternal figure, but as a human being with his own life story. Ultimately, this work humanizes him, uncovering his emotional depth and unspoken experiences.