JOIN USArt is a reflection of society, and our society’s most prominent malaise these days - sexual assaults on women - have certainly left an impression on artists.
Since the December 16 gang rape, and incidents of rape and child abuse thereafter, a string of art exhibitions have come up in the Capital inspired by that. Paintings, photography, sculptures - all are paying a tribute to women who have been victims of sexual assaults, domestic violence and even gender discrimination.
Chennai-based artist N Swarnalatha is currently showcasing her work titled ‘Nirbhaya’ at the India Habitat Centre. She informs Metrolife, “I was in Delhi on a vacation when this incident took place. It was a horrific case. For days I was left thinking how many women will have to sacrifice their lives before we learn to value the feminine figure. In southern India, we have seen the cases of Vinothini and Vidhya who suffered brutal acid attacks and died. I felt I must do something about it and hence came about with Nirbhaya.”
“The exhibit shows the plight of women caught in violent marriages, wars where they suffer the most, women labourers and those muted with fear and reprisal. It is a way to convey their sorrow and helplessness to the world.”
Sometime back, Art Bull Gallery in Lado Sarai showcased a group exhibition called R.A.P.E (Rare Acts of Political Engagement). Twenty-four women artists came together to depict the objectification of women and atrocities on them. Its curator Johny ML shared, “I felt the need to put together such an exhibition immediately after that incident. I especially approached women artists only as they can portray feminine figures more freely without being subject to judgement.”
“At the same time, we waited for at least three months to pass before the incident so that it does not look like the exhibition is based only on the December 16 gang rape. There have been such incidents before and after December 16. We want to pay a tribute to all these women.”
Veteran artist Arpana Caur comments, “I remember I first depicted a gang-rape in my painting 33 years back. Maya Tyagi, a 20 year-old-woman, had been raped and her male relatives beaten up by policemen. After 33 years, I depicted such an episode again when the December 16 incident took place. It is sad that things have only gotten worse in all these years.”
“Artists,” she continues, “are sensitive people. They are obviously touched by such incidents. Hence the same is reflected in their work as well. At the same time, one must remember that such sad, sometimes gory artworks, largely go unsold because people only want ‘happy paintings.’ We do them knowing that there will be no monetary gain. They are purely a tribute to the victims.”