Citizens colour canvas to speak for women

On World Art Day, young artists, as well as general public, responded to the burning issues of the day by painting their concerns on a large canvas.

Art Matters, in collaboration with Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited(BMRCL), organised the event to provide a platform for people to express themselves.

The two rape cases, one in Uttar Pradesh and the other in Jammu and Kashmir, resounded across the canvas with messages below them seeking justice for the victims.

Hashtags like '#NoMoreNirbhaya' accompanied the paintings, invoking the memory of the Delhi gang rape. The balance in the hands of Lady Justice was not tipping, though the bowl was full of tears of blood rolling down the eyes of a woman in the background.

Raghu Poojar of Art Matters said that there were protests across the country against the rape incidents and people responding to it through art, in their own way.

"We did not fix a theme. It is just a canvas where you can paint anything. People who are taking up the brush have decided on their own," he said.

Ashrit, an art student, said that he had read the news about protests and wanted to spread it to many others and also encourage them to respond in a constructive way. 'Imagine a world without rape', said a line below one of his works.

"Art is celebrated across the world today and it is known for telling the truth. We see violence against women every day. Art should encourage people to embrace the truth and justice and fight for them," he said.