Vaishnavi Srivastava
Shristi Sainani’s art exhibition [Tender buttons, and a] Bellyache, is running from the 15th of April to the 15th of May 2023, at APRE Art House In Mumbai Maharashtra.
The art exhibition “[Tender buttons, and a] Bellyache” curated by Shristi Sainani features the works of 15 remarkable artists who explore the theme of revealing and freeing hidden aspects of one’s being that are frequently suppressed due to societal constructs and traditions. The title of the exhibition references the common phrase “stop bellyaching” which means to stop complaining about something that seems unreasonable or unjustified. The artists in this exhibition use their work to challenge and break free from such constructs, exploring personal narratives and socio-cultural encounters that are often ignored or overlooked.
The exhibition draws inspiration from the works of poet Gertrude Stein and philosopher Simone de Beauvoir. Stein’s poem “Tender Buttons” merged words and objects to grant autonomy in making meanings, while de Beauvoir’s “Second Sex” challenged assigned constructs that are not inherent temperaments but rather learned through socialization and upholding the patriarchal system. By recognizing each other as independent subjects, individuals can break free from these constructs and become their true selves.
Indian ink on Hahnemuhle paper
The exhibition acknowledges the context of South Asia, which has underlying traditions and currents of suppression and aims to give agency to the artists to express their personal experiences and histories that are often unheard. The presentation intends to break away from societal formations and allows for the free expression of personal narratives, encouraging viewers to reflect on the themes of the exhibition and the constraints that may be imposed upon them by societal ideology.
The artist included in the exhibition include Meher Afroz Vahid, Prachee Batra, Kanchan Chander, Aakriti Chandervanshi, Mayuri Chari, Rachita Dutta, Piyali Ghosh, Hemavathy Guha, Sanna Irshad Mattoo, Meenakshi Nihalani, Sadhvi Jawa, Mrudula Kunatharaju, Bhairavi Modi, Krishna Popaliya and Ahalya Rajendran.
Address of the exhibition: Plot no. 28, Sanghvi House, 3rd Pasta Lane, Market in Colaba, Mumbai (Maharashtra). The gallery is open from Tuesday to Sunday, 11 am to 6:30 pm.
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