‘What Women Carry’, an art exhibition by artists Chaitali Morajkar and Harshada Kerkar features ideas and stories connected with the weights associated with womanhood. NT BUZZ talks to artists
KALYANI JHA | NT BUZZ
The participation of women in the smooth working of society is irrefutable. It is equally undeniable that the weight women carry to keep society working, often goes unnoticed.
Artists Chaitali Morajkar and Harshada Kerkar in their art exhibition, ‘What Women Carry’ have focused on the loads women carry daily. One reflects on reality’s weight and the other ponders upon the possibilities that arise when the weight of reality lifts. The Goan women, be it the fisherwoman or the fruit seller carrying their wares on their head, have been some of the inspirations in these artists’ works.
Morajkar has worked on terracotta for this exhibition, where the imagery she has used goes beyond reality into a dreamlike state.
“There is a figurative and surrealistic element in all my artworks. While women tend to often feature prominently in my works, for this exhibition I have added local Goan elements, objects, and symbols to complete the idea,” she says.
For the show, she has worked with tempera on terracotta, watercolours and ink. In all, she will be presenting 30 artworks. “I like working on matt surface of the pots, the earthen colour of the pots also gives a different feeling than on the paper,” she says adding that while earlier she used to work on smaller kudnem pots, this time, she has used bigger pots to get more surface to work on.
Kerkar who has also worked with Museum of Goa, Pilerne, on the same theme previously in charcoal on paper, is presenting 25 works in this exhibition. “When one woman told me she got her three daughters married by selling vegetables and fruits, ( they all carry it on their head) by walking door to door in Panaji, I wondered what kind of medal we should give her. I admire the courage and strength of these women,” says Kerkar.
(‘What Women Carry’ will preview on March 28 at Museum of Goa, Pilerme. It will be open till May 18.)
