Unique art show highlights gender disparity in society

Kathmandu, Dec 20,, Gender disparity still exists in our society despite increment of the level of educational awareness. The situation is grim especially in rural areas where educational access for women is still hardly available.
The painting by artist Shilasha Rajbhandari put on display at the Nepal Art Council building shows a gender disparity and women’s freedom. The artwork features how a woman is prepared to fit into the role of a woman since childhood.
“Marriage may be a union for men. But it is a departure for a woman. In our Nepali society, we, women, are forced to renounce our identity after marriage,” said Rajbhandari.
A video entitled ‘silent portrait’ made by artist Mekh Limbu on display at the Nepal’s unique art exhibition tells the accounts of Nepali migrant workers in foreign countries undergoing predicaments due to various reasons.
“There are many incidents of Nepalis aspiring for a foreign job being duped by their agents. They in case of being deceived cannot speak up for themselves. The video shows a bitter reality of such aspiring migrant workers,” said Limbu. He studied thoroughly about the plights facing migrant workers in Qatar before shooting this video. He started the shooting back in 2012.
The total 90 paintings made by 37 artists including renowned artists Lain Singh Bangdel, Manojbabu Mishra and Shashi Shah have been selected for the expo organsied by Welt Museum, said Rajbhandari. “It is very difficult to organise an international-level expo. So we started its preparations in an expeditious manner since 2017.”
Rajbhandari said although the exhibition is called a ‘modern art exhibition’, the new artists have also included the traditional art of Nepal along with modern art. “The art works of Nepali artists is as good as any international class artists,” she said.
This is the biggest art exhibition of its kind so far. The exhibition includes paintings, architecture and videography by 37 artists.
The expo will conclude on Friday, and the paintings put on the display will be re-displayed in the Museum of Vienna from April 2019. More than 150 people have been visiting the expo on a daily basis, according to the Council. (Photo available)
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