New Delhi, October 2024 – Attention hovered around Suhani Ahuja’s exhibition ‘Her Astitva: The Devis of Our Society Shackled’ as fans and critics waited for it. Indeed it was astounding and Ahuja managed to attract interest from art resources, other social critics, and activists, and her work was successfully presented. This was done through fearless artworks that engaged with the complex and challenging realities of womanhood, addressing the societal concepts in question.
Women are depicted as compelling characters in the exhibition who are always envisioned behind the barriers of marriage, widowhood, menstruation, molestation, trafficking and abuse received in silence. Such visible and emotional intensity was achieved by Suhani who demonstrated how the symbols of divinity and femininity were still paws to conceal and mute women. Suhani’s art depicted the gap between the myths about women being goddesses in society and the reality of their oppressed existence.
“Her Astitva is not just an art show – it is a reflection of the societal contradictions, which each woman witnesses on a day to day basis-” spoken during her closing remarks, Suhani said. “I have wanted to interrogate these wires and bring the attention of viewers to the norms that are inbuilt into the very essence of society, which enslave women and also the perils that women have surged over.”
Providing archival installations, complete to sight imagery and noticeable gestures, the exhibition called upon the audience to further explore women’s position in the society as well as celebrate their strength in their quest for freedom.
Exhibition Highlights:
– Impactful Art: Dr. Bhatti says that her experience with widowhood, menstruation, and torment have been the focus of her art and encourages a variety of emotions among the audiences, almost leaving them in praise of the courage and delicateness she puts into art.
– Resonating Social Message: It created a platform for misconceived mass feminism about women’s voices being silenced and the implications of changing the societal view.
– Artist Talk and Audience Engagement: Artist Suhani interspersed an artist talk throughout the attendance and exposure and spoke about her sources of motivation, her technique and mood of each artwork, making her a promising candidate of going places in future.
About Suhani Ahuja: As an artist centered around social change, Suhani Ahuja strives to be an exemplary artist. Currently a Grade 12 student at Vasant Valley School, Suhani recently launched the brand “Rehash by Suhani,” which advocates sustainable fashion through handcrafted cloth jewelry. With her family background being a52rtistic and her commitment to Kathak classical dance, Suhani’s artwork branches out on multiple platforms. Work came to a standstill at some point but her artistic urge was ever strong, encouraging her to seek new and creative means to fuel her work.
As per Suhani, ‘Her Astitva’ is not just a single exhibition with artwork: it is a statement of intent, a promise to all women that without ever shouting there are powerful words to describe their plight – words that women have long been muted to. For Suhani, this exhibition has rekindled her belief in the power of art to educate, connect people, and advocate for change in society.
