Feminist artist Nurun Naher Supti’s second solo exhibition titled Woman in Gossamer is a bold expression of the artist’s inner self which weeps over the sufferings of women on the backdrop of patriarchal society. The exhibition at the Alliance Française de Dhaka will continue till December 19.
The paintings, depicting the oppression of women, stand out portraying the feeling of their melancholy through the artist’s choice of colours, and their ability in portraying subtle expressions on the faces of her subjects.
About the ongoing exhibition, the artist said: “This exhibition represents the invisible sufferings of women and the social obstacles faced by them every day that crushes their inner spirit. Women are said to be sheepish, soft and reluctant to raise their voice. The vehement force of uncertainty compels them to obey the ‘higher’ authority.”
She also added: “I used my daily experiences and realisations as the inspiration for my artworks. Being a female artist, it has become easy for me to translate the inner feelings of women into paintings. The varied media helped me to display those expressions vividly, that are widely seen in our surroundings. Through the paintings, I wish to introduce the hindrances plaguing women.”
“One of my paintings, Oppose a Nature, is about a web, indicating the complex mental state of a woman attempting to reach their goal. The artworks do not give possible solutions, but they address the emotional state of a woman. Such an endeavour will help to stir conscious minds to extend their benevolent hands to the deprived lot.”
Supti obtained her MFA from the department of drawing and painting, Institute of Fine Arts, University of Dhaka. After completion of her BFA from drawing and paintings department, she devoted herself to experimental artworks. Her first solo-painting exhibition was held in the same venue in 1996.