Astari Rasjid, Indonesia
Ms. Rasjid’s art is rooted in Indonesia's traditional and social concerns, specifically cultural gender issues that deal with tradition versus modernity. Through layers of narratives the artist brings to the surface women's issues which are based on her own personal experiences and the experiences of women around her in the Indonesian culture; she questions, teases and challenges some of the concerns of Indonesian women.
Ms. Rasjid repeatedly presents herself as the protagonist of her work: “I often use my own face in my paintings as in acting out different roles, thoughts and voices. I use myself as a model for the things that I hope will become reality for other women, so they will be able to speak out clearly about the complexity of their own truth.”
In “Eveready Babe” the artist deals with female beautification and gender obligation; Women in Indonesia are always expected to be ready to tackle all the household chores and very often they become the breadwinner and life-saver of both the family and community. With the frame in this painting she is making a parallel to the always ready, always smiling, always 'well dressed' and 'well coifed' Barbie doll.
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