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The female art story

It's that time of the year when social media timelines get flooded with slogans on women power. It's also that time when lounges and cafés around town dole out beverages and bites in shades of pink. Fortunately for us in the UAE, the celebration of womanhood goes beyond this. March happens to be the month when female creators come together to celebrate women's stories.
The month started with a screening of The Lone She by National Geographic Abu Dhabi at The Youth Hub Abu Dhabi. The film narrated the journey of Dolores Al Shelleh, the first Arab woman to conquer the Mount Everest from the north-east ridge. As we near the International Women's Day (IWD), here's a roundup of what's in store for the coming weeks.
The theme for 2020 IWD is Each for Equal - an equal world is an enabled world; and we can choose to challenge stereotypes, fight bias, and broaden perceptions. That's what the second edition of Women in Art (The Cube, Central Park Towers, DIFC, Dubai), which opened on March 4 in the presence of renowned Emirati artist Dr Najat Makki, is all about. Art pieces - which include painting, mixed media, photography, and sculpture - were created and selected via an open call for this exhibition. Not only can you admire the works of 100 of UAE's well-known and undiscovered female artists, you can also buy the pieces.
Next up is the opening of Funun exhibition's Live Limitless (MGallery, Canvas Hotel Dubai) tomorrow, hosted by the sister duo Farah and Shiba Khan. "It is our chance to take responsibility for our thoughts and actions. We're happy that Funun has emerged as an art space that believes in supporting artists as well as causes," says Shiba. Here too, the pieces will be up for sale.
In the virtual world, ZeeArts' Art Connects Women has been posting 100 photos of individuals from all walks of life, sectors and sections of society over the 100 days leading up to International Women's Day.
Whilst at it, do mark your calendars for two upcoming theatrical productions led by women. Family Matters (March 26-28), written by Dubai-based Viji Sashikant, is the story of an Indian family in America, dealing with culture clashes, generation gaps and much more over two consecutive Thanksgiving dinners. Raffu (March 13-14), a sensorial storytelling in Urdu, invites the audience to awaken their imagination, and seamlessly move into the language of metaphors, mystery, and perhaps, the unknown. It is directed by Dhruti Dreamwalker and written by Durdana Faridy. Both performances will be staged at The Junction, Alserkal Avenue.
Go ahead and join in the celebrations by surrounding yourself with the tales - and brush strokes - of the women around you.
purva@khaleejtimes.com