The artist takes a direct approach that leaves viewers awe-struck. PHOTO: EXPRESS
ISLAMABAD:
South Asian women have inspired painters, writers and historians with their feminity, sensuality and grace for several years. Draped in a sari, with ghungroos dangling from her ankles, kohl-racooned eyes and luscious lips, the stereotypical woman from this region, also symbolises splendour and submission.
Fast forward to the present and the woman is facing oppression, denied her basic right to education and is trying to claim her status in society. The tools of education and technology have only helped so much in changing the lingering patriarchal mindset.
Artist Shakil Saigol has highlighted this paradox in his most recent painting exhibition, “Still we are like that only” that opened at Khaas Art Gallery on Tuesday evening.
All of the 17 oil-and-acrylic-on canvas pieces resonate with powerful messages, without pretending to be subtle. An example of this is the spectre of Malala in the background of some paintings, where the women at the forefront are shown to have jail bars in their eyes or claws protruding from the eye sockets. Even in what appears to be a portrait of a model behind barren branches, the woman is desperate to break the shackles.
In one of the paintings, a Hindu deity holds in her hand, the “arsenal” of a book and a degree. While dancers are chained, a nude figure walks into the wilderness with her brain in a cage. There are many symbols of chains, handcuffs and other similar objects that inhibit the women from realising their potential.
“Juxtaposed against the images of the courtesans of yesteryears, today’s woman in these works is complex – independent in her self-expression yet enslaved by her circumstances,” said the artist’s statement.
“Women’s literacy in the country is so abysmal. The Taliban alone are not to blame, let’s not absolve our governments when only two percent of the national budget is earmarked for education,” said Saigol.
His wife, Rehana Saigol, elaborated, saying that all of the women are protesting.
The artist has been associated with his family textile business and thus finds himself painting textiles in some form of another. According to him, the paintings celebrate the sari, which he considers a living art form.
“The splendor of the Paithani Sari from Maharashtra, the richness of the Banarsi from Uttar Pradesh, the chasteness of the Kerala Sari and the regal opulence of the Kanjivaram from Tamil Nadu are breathtaking,” he added.
Shireen, an artist and writer, commented on the works saying, “There is a lot of detail in the background as well as the drapery.”
Alia Bilgrami, the gallery’s curator, said the artist’s imagery is very bold and he has taken a direct approach to expressing himself through the art.
Zara Sajid, curator of the online art gallery Me Art World, said the work reminded her of the artist Saeed Akhtar. “I like the way he (Shakil) has highlighted women’s beauty in an ethereal manner. But then some elements are very direct like Malala. I love the fabric and I’m a textile designer so my first eye went to the fabric.”
Argentinean Ambassador Rodolfo Martin Saravia said, “This collection is totally different from the previous ones. The combination of old and new styles brings out the contrast while the fabrics look tangible and translucent.”
Prominent faces at the exhibition included the rights activist Tahira Abdullah, master calligrapher Rasheed Butt and contemporary artist Sana Arjumand.
The exhibition will continue till December 2.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 20th, 2013.
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