wallpapers for WhatsApp | Meta
In June 2022, I had the honour to collaborate with Meta and WhatsApp to create Pride-themed wallpapers reimagined through a queer lens, celebrating life in our home countries. Inspired by my roots in Odisha and a journey of reclaiming joy from years of bullying, I infused elements of patachitra, maximalism, and vibrant colors into the series. My alter-ego, "The Effeminare," embodies beauty and opulence, reshaping perceptions of effeminacy. The illustrations also incorporate nature, like Chilika Lake, and advocate for safe and hygienic sex practices, blending culture and purpose into a bold artistic narrative.
The Making Of
CLIENT - Meta & WhatsApp
Meta and WhatsApp commissioned me to create Pride-themed wallpapers for WhatsApp during Pride Month 2022. The task was to reimagine these wallpapers through a queer lens, celebrating individuality and life in our home countries.
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PROJECT OVERVIEW
Drawing inspiration from my cultural roots in Odisha and my alter-ego, The Effeminare, I crafted illustrations that blend patachitra (an Odiya traditional art form), maximalism, and opulent fashion references. Each piece carries exaggerated elements, vibrant colors, and bold shapes, transforming personal trauma into celebratory art. The illustrations also include elements from nature, like Chilika Lake, and spark conversations around safe sex practices, as seen in pieces like Umbrella and The Watering Can.
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ROLE - Concept Development, Art Direction and Illustration
I was responsible for everything from conceptual sketches, moodboards, and keyword development to the final design of the wallpapers. Collaborating with Meta's feedback, I redrew and refined each element to align with their vision.
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Pride Reimagined
​Represents Pride parades where drag queens and femme trans queens lead the change and pave the way for inclusion.
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This illustration draws deeply from queer culture and its bold, unapologetic expressions (serving fish, anyone? 😄). I wanted to reimagine a Pride parade within the Effeminare Universe—a place where everyone is their most fabulous, authentic self. In this world, every individual is a fashion icon, adorned in exaggerated clothing, elaborate accessories, and towering hairstyles. The nod to Marie Antoinette’s grandeur is intentional, a playful yet powerful symbol of reclaiming space and celebrating opulence unapologetically.
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At the heart of this piece are femme queens, leading the charge for change with resilience and elegance. They stand as the torchbearers of inclusion, embodying the essence of Pride parades—joy, defiance, and unity. Through this reimagination, I wanted to highlight the power of fashion, individuality, and the collective spirit of the queer community that continues to inspire change in the world. 🌈✨
Umbrella and
the Watering Can
​​Represents safety and protection using the metaphor of umbrellas and watering cans.
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The artwork celebrates intimacy and inclusivity by showcasing people across the gender spectrum embracing love and connection. From gay men and lesbian women to non-binary and pansexual individuals, it portrays a vibrant, gender-nonconforming community, where everyone is free to express their sexuality. The use of the umbrella serves as a euphemism for condoms and safe sex practices, while the watering can symbolizes sexual hygiene and care.
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Through this piece, I aimed to spark conversations around the importance of safety and hygiene in intimate relationships, while also highlighting the beauty of diversity and the spectrum of love. It’s a colorful, joyous representation of a world where inclusivity and protection go hand in hand. 🌈✨
Resilience
Represents growth, evolution, and resilience, even when the world around you tries to pull you down.
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This piece is inspired by my childhood memories of Odisha, where picnics by the ponds and lakes, like the serene Chilika Lake, were a part of life’s simple joys. The artwork brings together elements from those moments—graceful egrets catching fish, vibrant sunflowers blooming in the fields, and the tranquil beauty of nature in my village.
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It’s a celebration of the resilience found in nature and in life, where every struggle leads to growth and renewal. The piece weaves together these fragments of my past into a visual story, symbolizing how we thrive and evolve despite challenges, just like the landscapes and creatures I grew up admiring. 🌻✨
