Legacy. Migration. Memory: Kitchen Gods

Startling childhood memories and pierced family photographs have created a reference point and inspired Priya Kambli’s, new work, “Kitchen Gods.” Although, disturbed by these artifacts as an image-maker, Kambli is also drawn to the visual aesthetics and the stories each tells.

Kambli says, “My need to decipher and address my family photographs is personal. My work is rooted in my fascination with my parents — both of whom died when I was young.” She continues to explain, “In my work I labor to maintain my parents the way Indian housewives do their kitchen deities. I also strive to connect the generations, my ancestor and my children, who have separated by death and migration. ……….. I alter these photographs to modify the stories they tell.”

Kambli was born in India and at age 18 moved to the United States, where she began her artistic career. She completed her BFA degree in the University of Louisiana and continued on to receive a MFA degree in Photography from the University of Houston. She is currently and art professor at Truman State University in Kirksville, Missouri. In 2008, PhotoLucida awarded her a book publication prize for her project “Color Falls Down“.

Credit: Exhibition overview from museum website