Karen Knorr, The Queen's Room, Zanana, Udaipur City Palace, India Song 2008 - 2020. © Karen Knorr

Karen Knorr’s past work from the 1980’s onwards took as its theme the ideas of power that underlie cultural heritage, playfully challenging the underlying assumptions of fine art collections in academies and museums in Europe through photography and video. Since 2008 her work has taken a new turn and focused its gaze on the upper caste culture of the Rajput in India and its relationship to the "other" through the use of photography, video and performance. The photographic series considers men's space (mardana) and women's space (zanana) in Mughal and Rajput palace architecture, havelis and mausoleums through large format digital photography.

Karen Knorr, Conqueror of the World, Podar Haveli, Nawalgarh, India Song 2008 - 2020. © Karen Knorr

Karen Knorr, The Opium Smoker, Chitrasala, Bundi, India Song 2008 - 2020. © Karen Knorr

Karen Knorr, The Joy of Ahimsa, Takhat Vilas, Jodhpur, India Song 2008 - 2020. © Karen Knorr

Karen Knorr, Avatars of Devi, Samode Palace, Samode, India Song 2008 - 2020. © Karen Knorr

Karen Knorr, The Return of the Hunter, Chandra Mahal, Jaipur Palace, Jaipur, India Song 2008 - 2020. © Karen Knorr

Karen Knorr, Sikander’s Entrance, Chandra Mahal, Jaipur City Palace, Jaipur, India Song 2008 - 2020. © Karen Knorr

Karen Knorr, The Flight to Freedom, Durbar Hall, Juna Mahal, Dungarpur, India Song 2008 - 2020. © Karen Knorr

Karen Knorr, The Lovesick Prince, Aam Khas, Junha Mahal, Dungarpur Palace, India Song 2008 - 2020. © Karen Knorr

Karen Knorr, The Survivors, Deogarh Palace, Deogarh, India Song 2008 - 2020. © Karen Knorr

Karen Knorr, The Private Audience, Aam Khas, Junha Mahal, Dungarpur, India Song 2008 - 2020. © Karen Knorr

Karen Knorr, Durga’s Mount, Junha Mahal, Dungarpur, India Song 2008 - 2020. © Karen Knorr

Karen Knorr, Krishna’s Crown, Jawa Mahal, Jaipur, India Song 2008 - 2020. © Karen Knorr

Karen Knorr, Friends in Need, Juna Mahal, Dungarpur Palace, India Song 2008 - 2020. © Karen Knorr

Karen Knorr, Master of Seduction, Amer Fort, Amer, India Song 2008 - 2020. © Karen Knorr

Karen Knorr, Homage to Ustad Mansur, India Song 2008 - 2020. © Karen Knorr

Karen Knorr, Mohan, A Prince in Waiting, Manak Mahal, Udaipur City Palace, India Song 2008 - 2020. © Karen Knorr

Karen Knorr, Krishna's Rasa Leela, Chitrasala, Bundi, India Song 2008 - 2020. © Karen Knorr

Karen Knorr, Mahasattva’s Sacrifice, Ajanta Caves, India Song 2008 - 2020. © Karen Knorr

Karen Knorr, Attaining Moksha, Ajanta Caves, Ajanta, India Song 2008 - 2020. © Karen Knorr