Russian Photographer Julia Buruleva Spark Backlash for Painting Elephant Pink in Jaipur (View Post)
Russian photographer Julia Buruleva is under fire after painting an elephant bright pink for a photoshoot in Jaipur. While Buruleva claims the use of organic, festival-grade paint made the project safe, critics have slammed the move as 'animal abuse' and 'exploitation for likes'. The controversy has sparked a viral debate on art versus animal ethics.
A conceptual art project in the Pink City has ignited a fierce online debate over animal ethics and cultural sensitivity. Russian photographer Julia Buruleva, currently on an art expedition in Rajasthan, is facing significant backlash after sharing images of a live elephant painted bright pink for a choreographed photoshoot. The Barcelona-based photographer explained that the project was intended to be a visual tribute to Jaipur’s vibrant heritage, but critics have labelled the act as "irresponsible expression". Are These The Weirdest Sea Creatures Ever Seen? Russian Photographer Shares Underwater Pictures from Atlantic and They Are Creepy!
Julia Buruleva Shares Video on Instagram – Watch
Model Explains Pink Elephant Photoshoot
In a detailed Instagram post, Buruleva shared that the inspiration for the shoot came after weeks of immersing herself in the local culture. Her goal was to capture a "pink elephant against classic Rajasthani gates," utilising the animal as a central symbol of the region. The preparation for the shoot was reportedly extensive. Buruleva noted that she made multiple visits to elephant farms to find "willing collaborators" and faced numerous hurdles regarding heritage restrictions and filming permits. Finding a human model for the unconventional shoot also proved difficult, with many candidates declining due to social concerns.
Julia Buruleva Shares Post on Instagram – See Post
Julia Buruleva Defends Elephant Photoshoot
As criticism began to mount regarding the treatment of the animal, Buruleva defended the production, insisting that the elephant's health was never at risk. "For anyone worried about the elephant - we used organic, locally-made paint, the same kind locals use for festivals, so it was absolutely safe for the animal," Buruleva stated in her defence. Despite these assurances, the justification failed to appease many social media users. Critics argued that even if the paint was non-toxic, using a sentient animal as a decorative prop for aesthetic gain was inherently exploitative. ITBP Soldiers Carry Pregnant Woman 5km on Stretcher Through Chhattisgarh Forest To Save Life (Watch Video)
Netizen Reactions:
Elephant Photoshoot Sparks Animal Abuse Debate
The photoshoot has drawn sharp condemnation across platforms like Instagram and X (formerly Twitter). One user remarked, "Let’s go to India and paint elephants so my Instagram can get some likes. This is not art, this is pure animal abuse." Others pointed to the availability of modern technology as a reason to avoid using live animals in such a manner. "Strange how the elephant has to suffer so the photos can look beautiful. Should’ve just used AI," another commenter noted. Ethical and cultural concerns were also raised, with some viewers suggesting that turning a culturally significant animal into a stylised prop crosses the line from creative freedom into insensitivity. Bengaluru Jail Viral Video: 3 Prison Staff Suspended After Prisoners Caught Using Mobile Phones, Discussing RCB.
About the Artist
Julia Buruleva is a conceptual photographer whose professional portfolio focuses on the intersection of theatre, fashion, and portraiture. While she has built a career on edgy and theatrical imagery, this latest project in Jaipur has become one of her most controversial to date, highlighting the thin line between artistic ambition and public accountability.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 30, 2026 07:49 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).