“Dramatically Defiant” by Durba Sen
Original Essay for Artist’s Choice Award – Dramatically Defiant by Durba Sen
Dramatically Defiant was created as a call to the rising injustice to women in the United States.Being a woman of color and an immigrant, women’s status in this country in voting rights, equality at home, in the workspace, equal pay, opportunity, to pursue higher education, right to say “No”, the right to choose, the right to health care & the right to equality is paramount to the artist.
2020 saw the centennial celebration of the 19th Amendment, guaranteeing a Woman’s Right to Vote. With the overturning of Roe v Wade & women’s right to choose being restricted in more than half of the country, the issue of women’s health, wellbeing and her own decision making power has been pulled to the forefront. This painting as part of the Women Muses series was painted in honor of that, to relay a positive message of uplifting and empowering women of all color, to dream big and to realize their dreams. Dramatically Defiant tries to portray women in their resilience and in their diversity while striving for these basic rights. Women are incredibly resilient, finding inner strength to take care of their children, family, work and earn a living. Women need to stand beside and for each other, empower each other to fulfill and realize their dreams.
In India, where I’m originally from, female goddesses are worshiped and put on pedestals. But their earthly counterparts are treated as second class citizens and discriminated against. The painting aims to relay a positive message of uplifting & empowering women of all colors, to dream big & to realize their dreams & potentials. Color has been boldly used to portray women in their daring resilience, in their audacity not to be subjugated & in their diversity while striving for these rights. Through the playful and bold use of colors and imagery, the use of cubism and abstract expressionism, Durba has tried to shine a light and draw our attention to a serious issue and in the process, has paid a tribute to Picasso and Mondrian.
Please refer to the wonderful essay written by the juror Marc Dixon for the category Artists of Color (BIPOC) for the insightful take on the winning artwork, Dramatically Defiant.