For my semester project, I focused on oppression that exists
in India, mainly emphasizing the outbreak of the rape culture that has become a
way of life in society. Using major themes that we discussed in class, I
expressed ways that women suffer through hardships that are caused by
maltreatment from men who are disrespectful and treat women as objects. Three very
influential contemporary artists from India successfully depict lifestyles and
conditions that women are facing in that region through personal experiences or
observations. Gogi Saroj Pal, Anjolie Ela Menon, and Durga Kainthola are the
few artists I mention in my project who are inspired to pursue art through the
various historical artists and events that led them to elaborate on their work,
giving it a modern day view. One of my themes was patriarchy which is a major
concern in India because culturally, men are the head of household, neglecting
women’s say or rights all together making them useless in society. Another
theme that I discussed was the concept of the male gaze. Through this idea,
women are viewed through the eyes of men in the way they wish to see them,
however, these artists transform the male gaze into depicting nude females in
the way they actually are, giving a more deeper meaning to what it really means
to be a women. The male gaze gives men an excuse to take advantage of women
because they are “in control,” and know women are unable to tell them “no.” While
some women stayed quiet, others decided to speak up for their rights, founding
certain movements that have improved conditions for women everywhere.
Just like how the Guerrilla Girls exists in America and
serves the purpose of fighting for women’s rights and equality, India has its
own feminine activist group called the Gulabi Gang. A woman named Sampat Pal
Devi initiated the Gulabi Gang organization in 2003. Her objective was to help
women become independent, start their lives fresh and create a society where
everyone has equal opportunity. Both groups promote the same rights for
women and each forms a unified group of women that works to end gender
discrimination by showing that women are as able as men. These groups have
reformed and progressed the way women live today by setting the stage for them
to break out of their shell and not be afraid to fight.
I have created a tumblr profile to share my research and describe oppression in India
Link: http://artandwomen-me.tumblr.com/
Link: http://artandwomen-me.tumblr.com/
References:
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