Shakti: Fair & Fierce – A celebration of the feminine

The exhibition, Shakti: Fair & Fierce, celebrates feminine creativity and empowerment in the lead-up to the International Day of Women. The inclusive project in a blend of mythology and narratives, features remarkable work by a select group of women artists.

Curated by Sushma K Bahl with inputs from Meghna Vyas Arora, the exhibition articulates women’s voices and visions sieved through 100-plus multi-layered works by 55 female artists currently working in varied genres and living in different parts of India.

There are paintings, drawings, prints, sculptures and installations besides animation, digital, video, and pop art as well as embroideries among works in other media with a focus on issues and dreams that concern women and their life experiences.

The collection manifests the vitality of women’s multi-faceted creative engagement which goes beyond a limited domestic periphery onto wider and varied domains of interest to them and the larger society. The tapestry of artworks spans varied domains, dimensions, techniques, genres, and themes. The exhibition is on from 4th Feb and will continue till 31st March 2024.

Sanjeev Kishor Goutam, Director General, National Gallery of Modern Art, says, “I am delighted to present this exhibition, Shakti: Fair and Fierce in collaboration with the Museum of Sacred Art, Belgium. This exhibition celebrates women artists from India and their contributions. It honours the brilliance, resilience, and indomitable spirit of women artists whose voices echo through their works of art. In the realm of art, women have long been the custodians of innovation, breaking barriers, and shaping narratives. It aims to highlight the remarkable achievements of women artists from India.”

Curator, Sushma K Bahl, says, “Exhibition Shakti offers women an outlet for self-release by showcasing their creative acumen. It enhances their self-confidence, gives them a feeling of independence, a sense of achievement and a source of earning a living.” She further adds, “The multifarious feminine art adds a profound layer to India’s vast and varied artistic landscape that extends to include political, armed forces, corporate and technical spheres.”

“I am awed by the creative Energy emerging from this selection of Women Artists from India. The variety and intensity of their artistic expressions shows the vibrancy of the Indian Contemporary Art Scene as well as the enduring Traditional Art Forms. In this case some amazing embroidery work. I believe this is a symbolic representation as the number of Women Contemporary Artists and Traditional Artists are in the millions. That is the Mesmerizing Scale of the Indian Creative Economy” says Martin Gurvich, Director, The Museum of Sacred Art (MOSA), Belgium.

The collection encompasses freshly minted works in varied modes and materials. Reflective of a feminine force within a mythical context it features imagery painted by internationally acclaimed senior artists such as Madhvi Parekh, Jayasri Burman and Arpana Caur along with works by art school-qualified professional legends such as Shantamani Muddaiah, Shobha Broota, Radha Gomaty, Sujata Bajaj and Brinda Miller explores feminine discourse in a broader social context.

Emerging star artists Keerti Pooja and Sonal Varshneya reflect on feminine life within and beyond their familiar domestic surroundings in a series of amazing drawings and etchings.

There are also young women engaged in experiments with digital media such as Charuvi Agrawal and Richa Navani and innovative photographer Saadiya Kochar. Their work engages with concepts around the divine feminine boldly making her way through the prevailing social strife.

There is also a substantial body of exquisite colourful creations credited to multi-media artists Seema Kohli and Kanchan Chander and sculptor Nivedita Mishra, which is expressive of robust feminine wings that define their vital contribution to society.

When: 10 am – 6pm; February 4 – March 31

Where: National Gallery of Modern Arts, Jaipur House, India Gate Hexagon