I had the privilege of viewing artist Devi Seetharam’s work ‘Brothers, Fathers and Uncles’ at the Lokame Tharavadu exhibit at the end of 2021, and then again last year at the Kochi Biennale. It moved me and so many others I know, especially women, for highlighting an aspect of life in public spaces that isn’t articulated as often as it needs to be- that men and patriarchy by extension, dominate public spaces.
“In a part of the world that claims to be matriarchal but is only matrilineal in social customs, the patriarchy is deeply entrenched. Men wield the authority to occupy public spaces, and the traditional white mundu is a symbol of their purity, legitimising their self-granted sense of status and morality,” says the artist in an interview to Vogue’s Akshaya Pillai.
To have an artist whose work I admire so much, wear a saree from our collection at her show at the recently concluded Delhi Contemporary Art Week at Delhi’s Bikaner House, that has to be one of the highlights of this entire year. Thank you for your art, Devi. Our world is so much better for it.
Image Courtesy: Artist Devi Seetharam at Bikaner House, exhibiting for Delhi Contemporary Art Week.