Slings and arrows in women artists' existence

Women artists in Bangladesh have come a long way since Novera Ahmed's time. Yet they do not get appreciation as readily as they should, as one gathers talking to some women artists.

Farida Zaman says that as a freelance artist she has not gone in for addas but has silently participated in exhibitions, national and international, and received recognition from them. "Fortunately, I have not been singled out as a woman in these contests. However, getting recognition has not been easy for me. My career has been one long struggle." Talking about the problems that she faces in her work at the Fine Arts Institute, she says that men can't take women in the lead. She feels that she has been deprived in some ways. "I haven't always got acceptance and recognition in time, and maybe this is because I'm a woman even though I've been working to the best of my ability and sincerity," Farida says.

Kuhu, who has won acclaim for her drawings, says that she likes to view life from a positive angle. Asked if women artists are being neglected, Kuhu feels that women artists have come a long way. Giving a glimpse of how she balances her roles as homemaker and artist, she says, "Maybe we can do better and the society can do better for us. Personally I always try to look at things positively, as this helps the growth of an artist. All artists have to struggle. As regards women artists, I can only speak for myself and not for everyone. I'm a mother first and then a wife. Now that my children are older, I have the kind of time that I need for my art work." Kuhu says that her husband never held her back in her artistic career, and that perhaps she was luckier than most. "In a place where men and women compete, sometimes it is easier for men to go forward. This applies to people in all fields and not just artists," she asserts.

Speaking in the Bangladeshi context, another noted artist Fareha Zeba says women are still neglected. As she says, "I try to look at the situation in a positive way but somewhere there is a divide and women are viewed as beings apart. When a woman artist gets an award, gossip arises that she's used outside influence. A successful woman is often looked upon with doubt and suspicion." Zeba says that in the fine arts she expects more understanding and tolerance -- which, however, are not forthcoming. Comparatively, however, things have eased out for women artists today compared to her times, when it was difficult even to do outdoor painting.

Kanak Chanpa Chakma, known for her portrayal of tribal life, says, "I've been working continuously for 20 years now and enjoy my world. I feel strongly about my environment and society. I am lucky to have a partner who encourages me in whatever I do.

However, when I think of women's freedom to work in our society, I realise that this is limited. The more women are involved in society, the more will society progress as half our population comprises of women. In the field of painting, for a decade, a considerable number of women artists have come up and this is a positive move."

Lala Rukh Selim, a successful sculptress, says, "I feel that women's position as artists has a lot to do with the position of women in society. Art is an expression of society. The social status of women is far from equal. Women have a long way to go to reach equality in terms of social rights and obligations. Inequality is particularly evident in our country as we are poor. When the economic condition is bad, women suffer most. I also feel that the problem of being a woman artist is complicated.

Art is a creation of patriarchal society. The boundaries of art have developed from this."

Even if women are successful, Lala Rukh believes, they do not get the acknowledgement they deserve. Women have practiced art in the form of nakshikantha with thread and cloth, she reminds us. Because men have set out the criteria for art, these pieces have not been recognised as art, Lala Rukh points out. "There is no hard and fast rule as to what constitutes art. In my opinion, women have been successful artists in many different ways and it is society's problem that it has not been able to recognise women's art work," she says.

"Women have upheld the qualities of beauty and goodness in their day to day lives and opened the eyes of mankind," she believes.