Source: Visthar

Location: Bangalore, Karnataka

(It was distributed at Beijing International Women’s Conference.)

Language: English

Artist: C.F. John

Concept: Mercy Kappen (text taken from Atharva Veda)

Actual Medium: Oil on Canvas, Calender

Publisher’s Name: Coordination Unit of Beijing Conference

Description: The calendar was produced as an outcome of the Beijing International Women’s Conference in 1995. The idea was to create paintings that would celebrate the true spirit and essence of womanhood.  However, the painting was already in existence before the conference. Of the many images submitted  by artists from across the world, this painting by C.F. John was selected as one of the images to be put on the calender.

Women together walk through a tunnel, that symbolises the coming of age of womanhood. It also refers to the dark times during which they are always together. The child symbolises the extension of support to the human-kind that is greater than themselves. The image also depicts the role of a woman as a mother signifying her greater contribution to the evolution oh humanity and the constant cycle of life that is generated from within her. Thus it represents her all encompassing nature in the creation of life. Earthy tones were used in a unidirectional manner to depict her connection to Mother Earth. This represents the will of women to stay together unto freedom.

This is an independent production by the artist. However, discussions were held before the painting was put up as an entrant in calendar designing efforts of the Conference. The quote was subsequently chosen to best capture the essence of the image.

Criticism/Praise: The painting received many acclamations for its multi-faceted portrayal of womankind and womanhood and was hence chosen as an image for the calender.