islamabad - An exhibition of works by two female artists Sumera Jawad and Nahid Raza is going on here at Nomad Art Gallery.
Titled “Counter Narrative - Redefining Feminism” the exhibit is an attempt to give woman a voice to redefine her parameters and make choices.
Nageen Hyat, gallery curator, said, “It’s a nice idea that we could simply follow a prescribed set of rules and make the world a better place for all - it just does not work that way. This exhibition speaks volumes about the expectations placed on women to fit the mould of being a good woman.”
Sumera Jawad, artist and teacher, explores various forms of femininity in her contemporary and impressionistic works with evocative underpinnings.
In one of her paintings, a triad of female and male figures, women are garlanded with red flowers, a symbol of passion and power, happiness and good luck.
Toeing the same line of ancient till modern artists Jawad said, “Women have always been the centre character in literature, arts and poetry especially in the subcontinent. From the cavemen to the post-modern men, artists have always conjured up imagery of the feminine.”
Women faces are fissured giving blend of surrealistic and impressionistic approach adopted by the pallet of the artist. Males are in reversals and shadows with stout bodies which are intact.
While in another painting, white, black and gold colours are eloquently vocal about expression of love and appreciation of love and beauty with hands wide open.
In a painting by Nahid Raza, which depicts a standing woman with eyes vast open in the depth of night with a watchful and illuminating full moon behind, artist, apparently, seems to signify a continuous state of people fighting - distinguishing between right and wrong.
The squared blocks again in black and white portray the lawful domain available to every individual to act or omit. From another view it depicts the elevation of a royal queen with powers of authority in red and submerged black with the forefront and background symbols of legal authority in black and white blocks.
Another painting by Raza lucidly represents the heritage of Muslim women rulers in Indian costumes. The head of female figure is graced by ‘huma’, a bird symbolic of royalty.
Various blocks in the background normally meant for the candle lighting are representative of variety of issues pertaining to women like child growth, evil eye, love, fertility and void.
Raza’s specific focus on women and her strengths and qualities is the message clearly sent out in her paintings. “My paintings are the voice of a woman. A woman is, in fact, more than the status given to her in male dominated societies. She is strong in spirit and independent in her mind. In my paintings, she seeks freedom from the shackles of societal norms,” Raza said.