“In Gupta’s work, the subject of terrorism is approached such that it negates the stereotypical definition and description of our contemporary conflicts. Here, sensitive issues are not dealt with in a remote or distanced manner. Actually it is the artist, who instead of commenting on the crucial questions of terrorism, enters her own work and becomes part of it: as a girl soldier or the owner of a suitcase with the text declaring ‘There is No Explosives in This’ (2007), or a person distributing ‘Blame’ (2002-2004) bottles. The interactive nature of some of her works also suggests how the artist, instead of being a voyeur – and inviting the spectator to act as one – wishes to participate in the artwork, the art world, the world at large, and to be a potent player in changing the existing order and system of power relations.”

Mirza (Q.), “The Usual Suspect”, in Ed. Adajania (N.), Shilpa Gupta, Prestel Verlag, 2009, p.122.