Exhibition: “Art of Feminine Gender” – March 2008

“Where is Feminine Art?”

It would be bold to say that the exhibition “Art: Feminine Gender” was the first, where representatives of the “weaker sex” tried to present feminine art, which corresponds to contemporary tastes and approaches to art in general. Apple, which was chosen as the symbol of the exhibition was, already from ancient times, considered as the symbol of perfection and an emblem of God’s gift. The success of the exhibition of accomplishing perfection should be determined by true judges of the arts.

Why was the exhibition attractive?  First of the all, the selection of the exhibition venue, which was not a studio, a gallery, or a museum was unique; it was just an ordinary basement. Descending below on the stairs with feelings of fear and cold, suddenly one finds himself in an artistic space, where the soul of female warmth reigns. The works of art are traditional and contemporary (paintings, graphics, kundal, embroidery, photo and video art, installations) and cater to many tastes. There is no limitation and direction among the selected works, especially concerning the quality of the contemporary materials.

The exhibition’s atmosphere once again confirmed the idea that feminine art is made of tenderness and charm.  Maybe this same belief was behind the idea of exhibiting the embroidery with silk thread and beads, “Flora and Fauna”. The figure of the panther, like a symbol of predatory feminism, flexible and gracious, is associated with the trivial vision of the women’s figure.

The work “Clown” is an interestingly eclectic batik work. From the picture the clown is cunningly looking at the viewers, while playing with his dolls, or possibly with the hearts of humanity. Take a look at the painting “Melody” and listen to the music of the soul.

While in the painting, “Night Butterfly” expresses feelings of inconstancy and frivols, in the artist’s other work, the eyes of the young “Girl from Kulob” captivates the viewers. Her look speaks of her sincerity, openness and secretive sadness.

The work, “Faceless Slaves” emphasizes a gender problem and assigns an essential conceptuality to it.  Next to the painting hung a newspaper article as a piece of information in reflection to and possibly as a comment to the artist’s concept. “….In Tajikistan by far not all women awaits and loves the celebration on May 8th. Their rough and cracked hands have forgotten what it feels like holding flowers, it has been long time since someone had given them presents and they don’t even expect them anymore….” (Asia-Plus, Number 10 (424)/ 6 March 2008, “This is not a feminine celebration”)

In the elegant and extremely inventive collages “Fast Love” and “Came, saw and bought”, the artist reveals the spiritual emptiness of modern society, where money decides everything.

The author of the works “Herbal Woman”, Spirit of Traditions” Moonlit Night” and “Kiskiack Homage” makes an attempt to search the realization of Native American cultural traditions.

Otherwise the exhibition appears bleak. In the background of some interesting works both in terms of technique and composition, others are simply lost.

One exposition of the exhibition suddenly brings viewers to a separate corridor, where a video of a girl putting on make-up was projected on the wall. Moreover, as if it is confirmed, that a new day brings new hopes and aspirations.

Impressions of the exhibition lead to the idea, that the role of female artists in our society demands radical changes. They mustn’t be the ones who work on their graphics from 8 am till 6 pm and catch moments of inspiration in their dedicated state studio. A contemporary artist shouldn’t be isolated from the arts and think only about his daily bread. His responsibility is to be an intellectual researching the problems of society. Living creatively means that one is capable of transforming set ideas about arts from a contemporary point of view.
Hope remains that some day we will have observers who not only watch but can also react to the present.

(Mukaram Komilova –  independent journalist)