Women Bodybuilders in Contemporary Art: Keerthana Kunnath's 'Not What You Saw' Challenges Masculinist Tropes

Keerthana Kunnath's photographic collection, titled 'Not What You Saw,' confronts the traditional portrayal of muscular physiques in art by featuring strong young female bodybuilders from Kerala, India. These women exude confidence as they pose in ornate fabrics, jewelry, and flowers, all bathed in the warm glow of southern India. The article, 'Why Women Bodybuilders Are Everywhere in Contemporary Art,' places Kunnath's work within a movement that challenges male-centric art, citing Frederic Leighton's 1877 sculpture 'An Athlete Wrestling with a Python' and Michelangelo's 'David.' It critiques the 'gym bro' culture prevalent in the 'manosphere,' positioning Kunnath's series as a powerful assertion of feminine strength and beauty, while also addressing gender and body politics.