Entitled The Second Sex, after the groundbreaking book by French philosopher, Simone de Beauvoir, this exhibition’s starting point is the book’s main premise that argued that men had made women the ‘other’ or ‘second’ sex in society by putting a false aura of ‘mystery’ around them. The three artists put forward their own vision of women.
Jignasha Doshi b. 1973, Gujarat, India
Accomplished painter, and holder of a Masters of Fine Arts degree from the MS University in Baroda, Jignasha Doshi’s bold and brightly coloured paintings for this exhibition, focus on the role of women in society. These works place women at the forefront of the compositions, with scenes of urban life in the background perhaps from a different time frame or a differing urban location. The resulting tension reflects Doshi’s view of the ‘packaging’ or ‘showcasing’ of women in contemporary Indian society. She has exhibited at the both in her native India and in Germany.
Surekha b. Bangalore, India.
Video artist and photographer, Surekha, despite her many residencies in places as diverse as Trinidad and Vermont, USA, continues to work in Bangalore and her work remains true to her Indian identity. The images in these new works focus on the emotional and internal life of women. The resulting works are sensual and intimate and as such, the viewer feels that they have been given an insight into workings of this private world. Surekha has exhibited extensively internationally.
Sonia Mehra Chawla b. 1977, Kolkata, India.
A formally trained painter with a Master of Fine Arts from the College of Art in New Delhi, mixed media artist Sonia Mehra Chawla has developed a style uniquely her own, combining print making techniques, photographic references and painting using acrylic paints, oils and inks. These layered works never hide or obliterate her subject, they add further depth and meaning to her vision, often with her subject juxtaposed with an organic form or rural motifs, the women’s reality is most often aligned with nature. The artist has exhibited in India, China, Germany, The Netherlands and England.
Image: Courtesy of 10 Chancery Lane Gallery, Hong Kong
