(Diya TV) — Kully Rehal, a 30-year-old artist, witnessed first-hand what it’s like growing up as an immigrant and an outsider in an Asian neighborhood in the United Kingdom.
Late last year, she decided the rest of the world should be made aware of the struggles of Asians, particularly women, who immigrant to foreign countries. Inspired by her father, an artist himself, Rehal began creating a series of cartoons set around the theme of “superhero aunties.” The aunties, portrayed in Rehal’s series of comic books, are based off popular commercial comic book heroes Deadpool, Catwoman and The Incredible Hulk.
“I chose Marvel characters which symbolise individual powers for each person,” Rehal said. “When I started my superhero aunties series, I simply reminisced about stereotypical surroundings which I grew up in the mid-80s and wanted to shed light and pay tribute to the struggles, sacrifices, and success stories after moving from their motherlands to the UK.”
As time went by, Rehal began spending more time with Asian women, members of the “60s club,” to hear their stories.
“Each and every person, no matter what caste creed or gender, has a story to tell.
“To me, this Superhero Aunty series is paying tribute to all those aunties who have experienced various types of struggles after moving to this country, such as racism, sacrifices, domestic, verbal abuse, and generally working hard labour, that they had to endure.”
