Disquietious: Where art unmasks the unspoken
The group exhibition is an invitation to confront and sit with the hard, messy truths of society
The word "disquietious" isn't easy to say. It feels clunky, weird, even uncomfortable to pronounce —and that's the point.
Like the word, this exhibition, being held at Kala Kendra from 22 November to 9 December, takes on the hard, messy truths of society that are hard to talk about.
The works of seven artists invite viewers to consider topics that are often avoided: gender, feminism, technology, and the digital world—things we shy away from for fear of being judged or misunderstood.
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Curated by Parsa Sanjana Sajid and co-curators Wakilur Rahman and Efat Razowana Reya, the exhibition brings together works by artists from home and abroad. Each piece feels like a conversation starter, challenging you to think about things differently.
The moment you step in, you're greeted by glitchy black-and-white portraits titled 'Corrupted Colors: Portraiture Through Glitch Art'. At first glance, they might seem like digital mistakes, but that's the beauty of them.
The glitches symbolise the unseen aspects of a person—their flaws, stories, and complexities that often go unnoticed, asking us to rethink what we consider 'normal' or 'perfect.' It emphasises that beneath every face is a story we don't know, and it's these hidden layers that truly make us unique.
Another piece that hit me hard was 'The General Amnesia of Being'. It's a series of books that look like someone's private diary, filled with scribbles and thoughts about how we've become numb to violence. Co-curator Reya gave a little insight behind the piece, explaining how we often forget one tragedy as soon as another happens.
The artist highlights the stories of women like Tonu, Nusrat, and Moumita—names that should never be forgotten but often are. The visitors write their thoughts in the diary making this piece even more powerful. It's haunting and interactive, forcing you to sit with emotions we usually try to avoid.
'From Insults to Artworks' by Sumana Akter uses threadwork and stamped words to explore how language, especially insults, can transform over time. As a child, Sumana was mocked for her eye colour, and people often compared her eyes to a cat's eyes. She initially took it as an insult but later realised people were complimenting her.
Sumana explains, "Language is ever flowing, like a river, ever-changing over time. A word's connotative associations carry various meanings." Her work reflects how language evolves and how the same words can take on different meanings depending on context.
Nupur Podder's 'Makeup for Yourself' responds to the invasive stares women often face in public spaces.
These masks aren't just meant to hide your face but show power and protection inspired by different cultures and traditions. Podder explains, "I wanted these masks to feel like protective makeup, something that makes you feel safe and strong."
The exhibition also features many smaller, quieter works that pack a punch. For instance, the abstract pieces that explore the digital world and its impact on identity, as well as traditional mediums like painting reimagined with modern themes.
The curators wanted 'Disquietious' to be interactive and they've succeeded. Reya shares, "We wanted visitors to sit with these art pieces and reflect on them. It's about resonating with the discomfort, not running from it."
Co-curator Wakilur Rahman agrees saying, "This exhibition doesn't offer easy answers. Instead, it leaves you with questions. It makes you uncomfortable in the best possible way, pushing you to see things differently."
Through glitches, threads, scribbles, and masks, the artworks collectively send a single message: resilience in the face of discomfort. This is an exhibition you stroll through slowly, taking the work in. It stays with you, leaving you with questions and thoughts long after you've left.
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From Invectives to Idioms by Sumana Akter
Medium: Painting with threadwork, stamp
Sumana Akter reflects on her personal experiences with "gaali" (insults) and in her artwork she incorporates sewing threads into her pieces, symbolising tasks traditionally associated with women. At the same time, the stamped words represent how these insults leave deep imprints on the heart.
Makeup for Yourself by Nupur Podder
Medium: Foam, foam clay, fabric
Women often agree that upon stepping out, they get stares filled with judgment or discomfort, and it often feels like an intrusion, stripping away a sense of safety. To counter this, Nupur created bold and dramatic masks that act as both a shield and a statement.
This particular mask is created keeping the energy and power a wolf holds, the ability to stand strong and protect itself in times of danger.
Corrupted Colours: Portraiture Through Glitch Art by Wree
Medium: Black and white photography
Wree reflects on this particular art piece, explaining how beauty is subjective, and everyone carries their own experiences and struggles. The glitches in the art piece are intentional and they show how imperfections are a part of us all, but they also hold beauty.
