Visual artist Tracy Douglas and Author of Legend of the Swan Children Maureen Marks-Mendonca will host an exhibition under the name ‘Wombmyan’ at Moray House on March 21 from 10:00 hrs to 18:00 hrs in recognition of International Women’s Month, 2013.
The peculiar name is a spin on woman with emphasis on the organ that makes her special – the womb. The ‘myan’ was substituted for man as a stance of making the word independent of a male attribute.
“We talk about women getting beat up; not having equal rights. We always talk about negative things, but how can we make a shift to celebrate something that is ours? One such way is to be conscious of it, take care of it and do things to stimulate its growth through the arts and literature. It [the exhibition] is something we have to do in order for everything to be okay in the line of celebrating women,” Tracy said.
The two women expressed that their collaboration is because they both have a sense of consciousness and they have that enlightenment to share that consciousness. Tracy considers the exhibition to be a ‘coming-out party’ of sorts since after 14 years as an artist, she has never presented any pieces.
Apart from showing off her artistic talent, the exhibition is also special for Tracy because it is a celebration of women’s creativity and strength to overcome anything. Tracy was diagnosed with fibroids and had to have a major operation. “Fibroids represent unborn creativity. When a woman holds up her natural expression of arts that supressed creativity develops and weakens a woman,” Tracy said.
Maureen agreed that a suppression of natural art can cause a woman pain that she assumes is just physical. She said she has released her creativity in the form of writing. “I come from a mathematical and economics background and there is little room for creativity there, you are rigidly kept in line.” Maureen said. “When I left that world and started to write I came alive again, it is something I always loved to do.”
They both expressed that it is time for people, particularly women, to start living consciously. “All my works are fictitious,” said Maureen. “But they all carry within them that particular message – live, live consciously.”
Tracy will present her drawings and paintings, dolls and clothing – all inspired by her passion for allowing things to flow and experimenting with the beauty of colours. She said everything is a process of allowing images to come out and her work will allow people to express themselves.
Maureen will play around with her computer art work, present her book and showcase her upcoming book, Twelve Faces of Love. Her book, Legend of the Swan Children is an adventure that takes readers from the Caribbean Sea to the centre of the South American Rainforest. The story revolves around a boy who lost his mother and has to find her before a group of pursuers attack him. She will be giving a few readings since she likes to encourage people to write their own stories. “I like to stimulate people’s creativity that way,” she said.
They said the exhibition will be very fluid, expressing the evolution of women in society. The artwork will be on sale but entry is free. Apart from the exhibition there will be a story telling game, wine tasting, and forums for discussions. (Jairo Rodrigues)
