Malaysian artist reclaims the female body ... by painting on it

Rathimalar takes to the streets of Brickfields in Kuala Lumpur as she embodies the goddess Saraswathi. Photo: Kenny Loh

Ruby Subramaniam was angry.

In early January, a local Facebook (FB) group threatened to spray paint on women deemed to be dressed inappropriately during Thaipusam events. To Ruby, a a 27-year-old local artist with a particular interest in culture and gender issues, it was yet another in a long line of attempts in Malaysia to stigmatise women and police their bodies. And frankly, she had had enough.