Brush with Feminity

contemporary women artists is wide,with a space for new experiments,mediums and movements. Established in 2003,the group works for women empowerment through the medium of art. “We stand to extend support to all women artists who are contributing through their art

towards this endeavour,” says Sadhna Sangar,president of the group. Apart from workshops,Sangar says the group has organised international shows and painting workshops. Recently,the group rolled out a series of exhibitions to commemorate the birth centenary of Amrita Sher-Gil this year. The events started on January 30,timed with Sher-Gil’s birth anniversary. The annual art exhibition will conclude on March 8,International Women’s Day. “We had 16 artists from all over India and abroad make the series a huge success,” says Sangar.

The exhibition commemorating women’s day,comprises works of 50 artists who are celebrating womanhood in varied colours. The artists have painted a woman playing different roles as well as her aspirations and desires. Nature,in the form of birds,trees and waterfalls,has been used as a symbol to express a desire for freedom and fulfilment. A wish to soar high in the sky like a bird,to break away from pre-conceived notions and clichés and the overpowering need to evolve as a woman are all portrayed in the works. Many works depict the moods and emotions of a woman,her hopes and expectations,agony and ecstasy and various colours of life. For instance,Promila has depicted a woman waiting at an empty railway station,her back towards the viewer. Anjali S Aggarwal has showcased freedom by way of a butterfly resting on a woman’s foot,while Satwinder’s work portrays a couple in love. Shivangi has painted a portrait of Sher-Gil at work,and added elements to depict Sher-Gil’s global success and beauty. Done in oil,Shivangi says it was tough to paint the work,as there are not many coloured photographs of Sher-Gil.

Degradation of the environment is another powerful symbol expressing the plight of women. The need to preserve the beauty of nature,life and consequently the identity and core of human life and womanhood are showcased through many works,including a woman weaving baskets,a young girl enjoying a quiet moment in the rain,a moonlit night and a garden in full bloom. Spiritual aspects of life can be seen with some artists choosing to paint Radha-Krishna,Buddha and Ganesha. An interesting work in white is by Kamalpreeet,who has painted a woman with the body of a swan. Mehak Sehgal’s black-and-white work depicts an elderly couple standing and staring into nothing,with feelings of nostalgia,loneliness and longing clearly visible on their faces. “The works depict a woman’s journey and a will to be her own person. The show is an ode to her strength and entity,” says Sangar.

The exhibition is on at Punjab Kala Bhawan till March 8.