I wasn’t expecting the color, at least not in such vivacity, on my last visit to Ro’iya art studio in Jeddah. Most of us hold preformed ideas about how certain elements should appear in the visual context of their portrayal. Women remain no such exception, what with their mass-appeal in appearing dark, wanting, broody… At least that’s where all the seductive allure lies. Doesn’t it?
The artist Taghreed Al-Baqshi seemed to have understood this mass predicament, and very sharply treated her canvas with (as one observer put it) an “animated” twist. But that sounds too coarse an adjective. I’d rather just affectionately put that Al-Baqshi was feeling “sprightly” toward the women tribe while at work for her latest collection that was exhibited in Jeddah.
The entire series of works shown are a homage to women, allowing the observer to be lost more in what the colors speak than what the subjects of interest are saying themselves.
“I have my own vision about the role of Saudi women in society and what they want to achieve in life. Reason, heart and soul show the way to achieve humanity and freedom,” explained Al-Baqshi
Upon observing the series with a more serious intent, a question that comes to mind is why she paints images of women that continue to suffer stereotyping?
She painstakingly explores women in emotional modes of portraiture: In days of solitude; desirous of social engagement; in need of affection; as a recipient of love; in joys of friendship; at times of self-engagement; in deep thought; with her role as a provider; as an absentee mother; and in wonder.
Is this a palette replete with the multi-tasking profile of today’s women? Not exclusively. This is the colorful kaleidoscope women have been turning ever since emotional consciousness set in, in their duty toward the progression of the human race.
Al-Baqshi believes that she has an important message to deliver through colors, forms and styles of expressionism that reflect the roles women play to achieve balance in life. Especially the role of Saudi women, which has been assaulted in the past with misrepresentation, misinterpretation and gender bias.
This dichotomy of character and cause is demonstrated on the visage by the use of contrasting colors, as if to reinforce the germination of gender roles women are forced to express in modern lives today.
Reason enough, she took it in good stride to project the personality of the new-age Saudi women who surprised and yet provided a sense of pride in her heritage at local and international forums.
She believes that better cultural understanding can be achieved through creative thinking that challenges traditional concepts of Saudi women. Al-Baqshi has had solo exhibitions in Austria, Korea, India, Lebanon, Egypt, Morocco, Oman, Tunisia, UAE, Bahrain, and Kuwait.
She has also represented Saudi Arabia in the Biennale of Women and Arts in Bangladesh, France, UK, and Germany.
In this collection, Al-Baqshi bares all of what remains of femininity with warm, melodious, uplifting and cathartic tones. But what perhaps she really implies is the celebration of women in their myriad colors.
For more information on the artist, visit:
www.bagshiart.net.
Women of color
Women of color
