Original RadFem Art: Jhooth-Men Manufacture Lies Against Women, Until It's Called "Truth"

RadFem Artist Reflections

female.liberation is a female-only space.

Jhooth, Preeti Pathak, Mixed Media (Acrylic, Collage, Marker), 2025, 9x12

When my written language is still brewing, sometimes my visual language is better able to articulate my thoughts. I wrote several paragraphs to include with this painting. So many thoughts are pouring out of me. The little bit of broken Hindi I speak keeps pushing the phrase “jhooth baat hai” into my head. My written words are too discombobulated, and must be left in the drafts. I used all my words on the canvas. So instead of delving into process, I ask you to take in this piece, and share your thoughts in the comments.

What does this piece bring up for you?

Here are just a few facts so that you have some context when viewing the work:

“Jhooth” or “Jhoot” (झूठ) is the Hindi word for lie.

The men in the painting:

• Mridul Wadhwa

• Johny Lever

• “Hinjra (Dancers and Singers), 1890s (b/w photo)”

• Alok Vaid-Menon