PEAKLIFE

Visual artist Sonali Chaudhari delves with PEAKLIFE and explores art as a medium for empowering women, especially in India.

A famous artist once said, “An artist is a warrior, and his weapon is the brush”. But what is the weapon for? Have we asked ourselves that? Visual Art is a powerful catalyst for social change since the beginning of civilization. It reflects the time when it was created, from the first cave paintings to the present day.

Since the last century, humankind has seen a dynamic change in every sphere of life. Technology has made what was once considered impossible possible in today’s day and age. Global liberalization and access to the internet or the World Wide Web have brought a wealth of information within reach of the masses. Sadly, however, only information is not enough to bring about social change.

Les Demoiselles d’Avignon by Pablo Picasso

What is required is a change in the collective mindset. What is needed is knowledge. Women are still objectified in today’s society, albeit in different ways. Women are subjected to sexual abuse, harassment, domestic abuse and being blamed if they are victims. Unfortunately, this is especially true in traditional societies, for example, in our own country.

So, where does an artist come into this? Leading artists have used their work to literally “speak a thousand words” because an image can portray what words cannot express.

A perfect example is ‘Les Demoiselles d’Avignon’ (The ladies of Avignon), a controversial painting by the legendary artist Pablo Picasso, which depicted the savage plight of prostitutes in brothels. This painting tells us about a life steeped in hardship. There is nothing conventionally beautiful about the artwork, yet it touches a nerve. It makes people think. Art is not just about beauty. Art is about truth. It may or may not appeal to the eye.

Another example is ‘The Bride’s Toilet’ by Amrita Shergill, a beautiful painting, which depicts all the controlling factors women are subjected to in the name of tradition.

‘The Bride’s Toilet’ by Amrita Shergill

‘Self Portrait with Thorn Necklace and Hummingbird’ by Frida Kahlo is a clear depiction of her inner pain as a woman. Kahlo completed this artwork in 1940, a year after her divorce from Diego Rivera.

Marina Abramovic’s groundbreaking work as a performance artist, including body art, woman-oriented art and the breaking of social constraints to highlight true but deeply unsettling aspects of human nature speaks for itself.

There are countless such examples by artists from across the globe. Some have depicted the pain they have seen others go through. Art has undoubtedly played an essential role in the spread of feminism all over the world. These revolutionary artworks force us to recognize the derogatory perception women are subjected to across the globe.

We need to see art as a language, not just another decoration piece to go with the furniture. The artist’s brush can certainly be used to change the mindset of any society.

Therefore it’s small wonder that in societies where women are liberated and have equal rights as men, art too reaches for the stars.

Disclaimer: The article is authored by Sonali Chaudhari, Visual Artist. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author’s and do not represent those of PEAKLIFE.