Through her eyes
Indian art is not topical or politically engaged, and artists continue to paint customary themes in their usual styles even as the world around convulses. The reluctance to step out of the comfort zone is partly due to a fear of losing patronage and partially the reflection of a disconnect with social realities.
Curator Johnny ML’s aptly titled show RAPE — Rare Acts of Political Engagement (presented by Art Bull), displays works by 24 women artists who engage with ideological, sexual and mental assault perpetuated by patriarchal society on women.
The digigraphs, video installations and paintings highlight two aspects to the notice of viewers. One, a larger aspect of rape as a ‘special’ category of violence against the vulnerable segments of society, women and children. Special because unlike physical abuse; rape is associated with honour, the behaviour of the victim, and other socio-sexual parameters beyond the assertion of power and violence by the perpetrator. The other aspect is the general reluctance of women artist; even when working within the feminist-feminine discourse; to take a feminist position. This appears largely true of this group of young artists. One may question the aesthetics of some of the works but not their validity.
Many of the artists are disturbed by the male gaze that seems omnipresent as well as malevolent; looming, searching, and voyeuristically peeping through the cracks in the body of the society as well as the objectified or éye'dealised female.
Deepa Jayaraman comments on a politician’s remark about ‘dented and painted women’ in her monochromatic pencil and ink work showing a series of women on whom there is only one mark of colour, the ribbons in schoolgirl’s plait, the red sindoor bindi, or the blue on a wretched women’s eyelid. The phallic form as a threatening presence as well as the offensive ‘other’ also comes through in some of the works. The show is a brave attempt at addressing pressing concerns through ideological-aesthetic working by young artists who struggle for a creative identity and form.
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