From time to time artists - the most sensitive section of a society try to bring forward certain social evils of our society in a hope to solve those problems or if not solved at least bring them to the knowledge of common people who may find a way to curb the menace.
Such an innovative and informative exhibition titled 'No Honour in Killing - Making Visible Buried Truth' was organised at V M Art gallery, Karachi. The main purpose of the exhibition was to create awareness about the most heinous crime against women' Karo-Kari' in our part of the region.
The exhibition was dedicated to the five victims of the brutal Nasirabad honour killings, in which all of the women were buried alive in the name of honour. It is an attempt to keep their memory alive via art and dialogue and seek justice for these women whose murder outraged the nation.
About forty art works of thirty four senior and budding artists were on display showing their concern about the social evil of honour killing - 'Karo Kari'. The exhibition was unique in a way that it included a session of audiences discussion that allow people to participate and talk about the issue thus helping in understanding the message visually conveyed by the artists.
Art is a good medium to portray and discuss social taboos and subjects related to sexual and gender violence. Art is perhaps the only catalyst which provides opportunity to younger generation and students alike to talk about and question different dimensions of issue, which is a taboo and break the silence with the help of line and colour.
It is time that we exchange various ideas and spread awareness about issue once we could not talk or discuss. Informing masses and mobilising citizens against violent social practices through art is an effective approach. The show since started from Sindh, Jamshoro travelled different parts of the country meeting different people representing all walks of life from house wives to professional men and women advancing towards its goal reach Karachi.
In our male-dominated society honour is symbolised by moustaches and Khuda Bux Abro's work features the same, portraying men's thinking of honour. Riffat Alvi in her work 'Koila Behi Na Raakh' describes Karo Kari as a crime committed by the close relatives sometimes it's the loved ones who she has nurtured lead her to death, like smoke rises from a torch which gives light.
An installation 'Agony' by Noor-ul-ain Pirzada shows the different facet of honour killings and women of all ages and in all parts of the country killed in the name of honour in different ways. Sabah Ingvarsson 'Look at Me' sculpture portrays a disturbing image of a woman in front of a mirror who is adoring herself without realising that other half of her face is mutilated.
Amin Gulgee's 'Sun Dried Heads II, The Wreath' (bronze, 2008), Akram Dost Baloch, 'Untitled' (fabric and pigment' 2009), Abdul Jabbar Gull 'Couple' (wood, 2007), Khuda Bux Abro 'Honour' (oil on canvas, 2007) Meher Afroz 'Wajud-e-Zan Say Hai Tasveer-i-Kainat Mein Rang' (mixed media and muslin, 2009) Mobina Zuberi 'The Puppet' (mixed media on canvas, 2009) Riffat Alvi 'Koila Behi Na Raakh' (smoke on cardboard, 2009), Marium Agha '72 Virgins for My Suicide Lover' (thread and fabric, 2010) were some of the much appreciated works at the exhibition.
All the artworks of artists depict social concerns while simultaneously pointing to the root cause of these issues through their medium and texture. The message goes honour killing is a horror that plagues our society. It's time we face the truth.
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