Extra credit

Wilfredo Jimenez

Professor Cacoilo

Art and women

Extra Credit Post:

The Gateway Projects-

Hiba Schahbaz: Self Portrait

           

            Born in Karachi Pakistan, Hiba is a Brooklyn based artist who focused on miniature painting and graduated from the Pratt institute in New York City; with international gallery and fairs including the Vienna Art Fair, she is considered one of the most influential artist in New York and the world.

“I use the female figure to unfold a narrative that transcends cultural and political boundaries. I tell my own story while heavily embellishing it with imagination and metaphor. And although the protagonist in the work is me, she also carries a dual, existential meaning. I often use the female form as a tool, portraying thoughts and concerns from socio-cultural and political realms.”

This exhibition focused on what Hiba calls the “Gaze” known better to us as the male gaze. In her gallery show she questions the male gaze and challenges the ideals and origins of it. The paintings portray her in the nude posing for the male audience, she includes herself as the subject to challenge the patriarchy and force the audience to comprehend her point of view on the matter. I believe that the most successful part of this show is the way in which the audience is able to relate to the work and to the artist by her sharing her intimacy with the audience and creating trust. The naked body is sacred, and allowing someone to view you in your true self is a way of inviting them into your personal live. 

Growing up in a traditional Muslim country she women are not allowed to do as they please and they struggle for freedom to make their own choices; the man and parents dictate what goes and when it is done not leaving any breathing room for individuality. Failure to comply creates conflict that in most cases results in violent behavior and death, Hiba's criticism and exposure of her true-self is in violation of these beliefs and rules which makes her a target in her country and religion but the exhibition is successful because people like me get to experience her feelings in an attempt to relate and create awareness. 

Taking on the male gaze is taking on history itself, our modern society works based on the male gaze through media and print, corporations choose what to soon feed us and how much subjective content should be exhibited on a daily basis. Schahbaz challenges this idea by being the author, subject, and object; showing her knowledge, experience, and conceptual thinking all in one idea. We threat women as symbols and objects violating their rights to be and denying their development. These stylistic paintings provide the truth.

My favorite painting was "Self Portrait as The Grand Odalisque". As i gazed on it i felt a strong connection between her presence and nature, i come from a country were people are intimate and personal and the composition and ornamental elements of this paintings reminded me of the way my people carry themselves. It spoke of purity, simplicity, beauty, uniqueness and so many other things, the carvings were perfect and I believe that they can have a show of their own. It speaks to me as a study of the mind and dreams, wishes of freedom and desire to break the chains of the patriarchy, her face is shown as someone who has a lot to say but can't, someone who is forced to wait to express themselves.

Work Cited

"ABOUT." Hiba Schahbaz. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Apr. 2017.