Local artists raise their voices against gender-based violence
THE campaigns around gender-based violence may have passed, however independent artists are committed to keep spreading the message. It is through their creative talent that their voices against the scourge of atrocities against women can be heard and echoed.
PHANSI Museum in Glenwood is housing an ongoing art exhibition by women to commemorate 16 Days of Activism Against Women and Children Abuse.
Suraya Tewary is the curator of one of the exhibiting artists. “The exhibition was a vision of the late co-founder of the Advice Desk for Abused Women, Professor Anshu Padayachee. To pick up where she left off and fulfil her vision, a body of art speaking to abuse against women was born,” Tewary explained.
She added that women’s voices were not persuasive and loud enough against human rights violations. “We are not angry enough, we need to shout more against wars, genital mutilation, sexual assault, domestic violence and other forms of women abuse locally and worldwide.”
Fellow exhibitor and multi-faceted artist, Vas Putter, echoes the views. “The exhibition is ongoing and we hope to stamp the social impact about the injustices we witness every day, especially child trafficking in the African continent and Durban in particular.”
Also read: NPA welcomes amended legislation to fight GBV
She encouraged fellow artists to address humanitarian issues and the environment linked to such evils, and urged the public to support artists in order for them to create, and use their talent effectively.
Tewary reckons they are fortunate to be able to choose such platforms as a form of rebellion to express themselves through art, and through their creative input the world is compelled to act against suffering.
Putter highlights that women and children are at the forefront of victimhood in human trafficking and oppressive poor-production environments. She works in paint mediums, printmaking and assemblage sculpture with discarded objects.
The museum has on display colourful pieces showing empathy around the burdens carried by women – bullying, femicide, slavery, silenced voices and protest.
A portion of the profits from the sold artwork will be donated to the museum and other humanitarian organisations. To purchase contact Vas on 082 448 5738 or vasputter@gmail.com.
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