She Resists by Portia Roy

Portia Roy is an Indian visual artist and art workshop facilitator, whose bold and thought-provoking works challenge socio-political injustices. Specializing in printmaking, she completed her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Kala Bhavana, Santiniketan, where she discovered woodcut printing—a medium that resonated deeply with her artistic voice. Its raw, expressive nature became a powerful tool for her to explore themes of gender, oppression, and social inequality.

Born into an environment steeped in political discourse, Portia was raised in a household where conversations about equal rights and social justice were part of daily life. Her father, an active member of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), instilled in her a deep sense of responsibility toward marginalized communities. This formative experience profoundly shaped her worldview, making activism an integral part of her art practice.

A committed feminist art activist, Portia’s works are visceral responses to the gender-based violence, oppression, and systemic inequalities that persist globally. Her art serves as a visual protest, evoking empathy and urging audiences to confront uncomfortable truths. She is particularly drawn to disturbing imagery and real-life incidents that compel her to document and interpret them through printmaking. Her creations emerge from a place of melancholy, resistance, and urgency, translating emotional turmoil into striking visual narratives.

Portia aligns with Banksy’s philosophy that "Art should comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable." This belief is the foundation of her artistic practice, guiding her in her mission to challenge norms and ignite conversations around injustice.

Currently, Portia continues to exhibit, conduct workshops, and collaborate on socially engaged art projects, using her work as a medium for change.