Ayesha Mariam Durrani

Coming from a conservative Pathan family in Peshawar, Ayesha Durrani confronts female stereotypes through the use of the dressmaker's mannequin as a symbol of the anonymous, faceless woman attempting to conform to societal expectations. Patterns, prints and deconstructed garments also take on personalities, and finely detailed prints of cabbage roses evoke domestic comfort and feminine tasks. Being a woman is a unique experience, a sweet and sour mix of intense feelings, volatile emotions and ultimate sacrifices. This is a time of great confusion, when the past and present are at a crossroads. Women in particular are struggling to redefine themselves as the precedents set by our mothers aren't useful anymore in this modern world and day. Cultural stereotypes and our social do's and don'ts stare at us. To top it all we have the western definition of a modern woman to contend with. What is a woman to be then? Is she the satti-savitri of the sub-continent who bears everything without uttering a word of protest or is she the western icon of feminism, burning her bra and scorning domesticity? There are dress and moral codes and religious edicts for women but none for men. There is also an unrealistic level of perfection demanded of women by society, as she is expected to fit in the mould and be the same at all times beautiful, sweet, loving, caring, homely etc, without any personality or character of their own. Ayesha Durrani (Artist statement)

10 by 8 in. (25.4 by 20.3 cm.); 10 1/2 by 7 in. (26.7 by 17.8cm.) DESCRIPTION Signed in Urdu and dated '2007' lower middle; signed in Urdu anddated '2007' lower middle Gouache on wasli; gouache and marbling on wasli EXHIBITED Anant Art Gallery, Kolkata, May 2008