Deity

Inspired by Sir Arthur Cotton, a British officer later revered as a demigod for his irrigation works in Andhra Pradesh, Deity reflects shifting perceptions of colonial authority from intruder to benefactor.

Reframed in a local context, Tay’s portrayal suggests a quiet act of narrative decolonisation, reclaiming history through cultural reinterpretation.

The work explores how power and legacy are shaped over time, revealing history as subjective rather than fixed.