With an objective to sensitize the masses about the menace of ‘Karo-Karo’ (honour killing), an interactive exhibition of paintings, a 2D documentary, skits and a musical programme titled “In the name of honour” was opened at Jharoka Art Gallery (JAG) on Wednesday.
The exhibition was a serious attempt to keep the memory of victims of Karo Kari alive via art and dialogue and seek justice for the victims whose murder outraged the nation. As many as 41 art pieces of paintings, and video presentations, as well as community dialogue on the practice of honor killings in Pakistan were the feature of the event. The wife of US ambassador to Pakistan, Dr Marilyn Wyatt, was the chief guest on the occasion.
Talking to reporters on the occasion, Dr Marilyn Wyatt said that Pakistani women should be encouraged to meet challenges. She said that the concept of women as property, honor and reward is so deeply entrenched in the social, political and economic fabric of Pakistan that daring to defy the traditions in a ‘man’s world’ could lead to an atrocious ending. She said that highlighting honor killings through art is a peaceful attempt to positive change in society regarding that issue.
She said that it was the state’s responsibility to provide women with relief in a society dominated by men. Featuring over 41 paintings, the exhibition highlights the honor killing issue through landscapes, cityscapes, abstract, sketch-work, figurative imagery, miniatures and collage. The documentary was produced by Faiza Khan, who is also a prominent painter.
Works of 35 Pakistani artists including, Ahmed Iqbal Qureshi, Alina Chaudry, Altaf Ahmed, Aqsa Majeed, Arjumand Awan, Arif Khan, Ata Turab, Ayesha Hassan, Faiza Khan, Farah Adnan, Hajra Mansoor, Hasda Majeed, Tariq Kakar, Tashfeen Majeed, Umna Nabi, Yousuf Sheikh, Zahra Kazmi and other talented artists were displayed. The artists stressed the need to strengthen social structures to end the crimes against women.
They suggested building shelter homes to provide refuge to these women who become victims of crimes in the name of honour. Jhoraka Art Gallery Director Naheeda Raza said that, as a curator, she felt that it was her core responsibility to create an opportunity for both known and undiscovered artists to highlight this issue in different ways.
“The masses should be aware of the peril of violence against women and Karo Kari is the worst form of it. Through these paintings, the documentary and the skit, we have tried to expose the nefarious act of murder of innocent women,” she said.
