24 April 2024/
SHAKTI – FAIR & FIERCE
An Exhibition that explores, discovers the voices and narratives of women in art – a joint collaboration between prestigious National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA) and Museum of Sacred Art, Belgium at New Delhi from 4 February 2024 till 30 April 2024.
CURATOR
MS. SUSHMA K BAHL WITH INPUTS FROM MEGHNA VYAS ARORA
PRESENTED BY
DR. SANJEEV KISHOR GOUTAM, Director General, National Gallery of Modern Art
Mr. MARTIN GURVICH, MOSA and Ambassador
Mr. DIDIER VANDERHASSELT, Ambassador, Embassy of Belgium in India
PANEL DISCUSSION CONCEPT AND COORDINATION
DR. SHASHI BALA, CURATOR
DESIGN: RATANDEEP SINGH RATHORE / PHOTOGRAPHER: ABHISHEK SINGH / SUPPORTED BY: RAJESH AGARWAL/ ANIL KUMAR S.S. PAUL/ YOGESH VATS
The Panel discussion titled “Women in the Contemporary Socio-Cultural Context” was jointly chaired by Ms. Lily Pandeya, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Culture and renowned writer, Curator, Arts Adviser and former Head, Arts & Culture, British Council India, Mrs. Sushma K. Bahl.
Prof. (Dr.) Anupa Pande, Professor Emeritus, Department of History of Art, Indian Institute of Heritage; renowned writer Ms. Namita Bhandare; Ms. Vidyun Singh, Creative Head Programmes, Habitat World, India Habitat Centre; eminent Indian Classical dancer Padma Shree Geeta Chandran; Prof. Seema Bawa, Department of History, University of Delhi; Dr. Ayla Joncheere, Associate Professor at IIT Jodhpur and Managing Director of Maghenta (Belgium); Dr. Ruchika Wason Singh, Visual Artist, Art Educator and Independent Researcher and eminent artist Ms. Arpana Caur participated in the panel discussion.
“I am delighted to present the panel discussion on the profound impact of women in art and the role of women in the contemporary socio-cultural context. In the vast canvas of human history, women have always been integral contributors and their indelible mark on art, culture, and society is distinctive. As we stand on the threshold of the 21st century, it is imperative to recognize and celebrate the profound impact of women in the realm of art, and to contemplate their roles within our contemporary socio-cultural fabric,” remarked Dr. Sanjeev Kishor Gautam, Director General, NGMA in a note issued on the innovative initiative to recognize and celebrate the creativity, resilience and innovation woven by women artists.
“Towards the modern age with representations of women articulated which are either realistic, expressionist, surrealistic or abstract etc in style, it assumes the form of a problematic. These modern works reflect diverse emotions, perspectives and temperaments, exploring endless materials, methods, techniques and media by the women artists caught in a vortex of myriad global influences and intense experimentation,” explains internationally acclaimed Art Historian and Indologist Prof. (Dr.) Anupa Pande who is currently the Professor Emeritus in the Department of History of Art as well as Professor and Head, Department of Palaeography, Epigraphy and Numismatics in the Indian Institute of Heritage.
Renowned Journalist Namita Bhandare elaborately discusses gender issues, changing mindsets and dislodging patriarchy, education, dismal female labour force participation, disproportionate burden of household work of women in India and poses the moot question, “ we have to ask ourselves is this: is it enough?”
“In the decade since, data has recorded a rise in numbers not just of rape but also of all crimes against women. There is, of course, merit in the argument that the rising numbers don’t necessarily reflect more crime as much as an increased confidence to report it. But what explains the unspeakable violence? Girls strung up from trees, burned to death or eviscerated. We are now numb to these horrors,” says the renowned Journalist Namita Bhandare.
A pioneering fashion choreographer, Vidyun Singh who has been an advisor on the National Design Policy Panel and Handloom Board, currently works as Creative Head Programming, Habitat World, India Habitat Centre is of the view that, from a time in the not too distant past where pioneering women in literature, poetry, theatre, films dance and music, broke the shackles of rigid conservatism, facing not just familial disapproval but social censure, what we have today is a confident, independent , individualistic voice and body of work from Indian women, that is garnering respect and recognition and winning International acclaim and awards.
“But beyond the dance, I feel that the gender burden is one that is deeply felt in Indian society, especially in North India. Women are taught to be gender-inferior; girls are taught to constrict their chests and not walk to their full height. They are plagued with hesitation, self-doubt and low self-esteem. It is all this that I attempt to radically change with my training pedagogy,” says eminent Indian Classical dancer, Choreographer, Carnatic Vocalist Padma Shree Geeta Chandran who is the founder-President of NATYA VRIKSHA, New Delhi.
Dr. Sanjeev Kishor Goutam, Director General, NGMA, New Delhi remarked on the boundless creativity, determination, relentless pursuit of artistic excellence of the women artists as: “We discuss the complexities of gender, identity and representation within the art world, let us not only recognize the struggles and triumphs of past generations but also acknowledge the ongoing challenges that women artists face in attaining recognition, representation and equal opportunities. Through engaging dialogue and thoughtful reflection, may we cultivate a deeper understanding of the transformative power of art and its capacity to transcend barriers, challenge conventions and foster empathy and understanding across diverse perspectives”.
