ISLAMABAD: An art exhibition titled Women’s Participation in Public Life featuring seven artists opened at the Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA) on Wednesday.

The exhibition, which features the work of Maheen Afridi, Ujala Hayat, Numaira Javaid, Amira Khalid, Fatima Manzar, Shimza Kamal and Ayesha Ashraf, showcased some of the most contentious and volatile subjects faced by women in society.

It was inaugurated by European Union Delegation Deputy Head Anne Marchal and Shirakat Executive Director Bilquis Tahira.

The 27-piece exhibition was an artistic demonstration of feminism in which the works varied by theme and content.

“I realised the exhibition is unified in the theme of ‘freedom of expression’ and I felt the work is liberating – which hit me and was asking me questions: What is this lady trying to tell me? And if she has put this on canvas, is this a question as a society we must address? I hope their example inspires other female artists to pick up a brush to express themselves and make a mark on society,” Ms Marchal said.

Ms Manzhar’s conceptual hand-cut collages challenged and rebuked the notion of male dominance in marital life. Her four-piece display emphasized on the prominence of balance in a healthy marriage and how society consistently dictates that male supremacy is the pivotal factor in making a marriage work.

Her display questioned the roles of a husband and wife and furthermore, questioned the need for societal intervention in the matter.

Conceptual questioning was also evident in Ms Hayat’s thematic five-piece collection, which embodied the accentuated impression of a woman simply as a vessel of reproduction. Two of her self-portraits revealed the subtle emptiness of a woman confined to the role of a mother – where her stature may rise, demonstrated by a staircase in one of the paintings, her identity may be compromised.

“My work revolves around pregnancy and I find women are stuck in monotonous roles. This one biological ability and responsibility associated with my gender overpowers all other functions I have as a participant of society.”

‘The Bull-Headed Lady’ by Ms Afridi stood out owing to the vibrancy of the portrait. A bull faced rendition of a woman with a heart replacing the brain against a yellow-bricked wall seemed to draw the spectator in.

She said: “My work is centeed on how a woman has the power to keep a balance in a relation with a man. I feel that women are exceptionally strong and they don’t need to ask for empowerment because they are already empowered.”

The remaining works by Ms Butt, Ms Kamal, Ms Ashraf and Ms Khalid similarly reflected on today’s undefined views on women’s roles. Every piece in the exhibit raised questions, and though these questions are not answered, the fact that they are raised and that they require contemplation is the resounding theme.

Published in Dawn, April 26th, 2018