15/05/2023
As a part of his internship in the MDes program in Social Design, our student Sidharth Khangembam worked as a poster artist at a prominent NGO, ‘One Stop Centre,’ located in Bishnupur District in Northeast India. The One Stop Center is an NGO that provides assistance to women who are victims of violence or abuse. It offers a range of services such as medical assistance, legal aid, counseling, and rehabilitation.
Sidharth’s role at the center was to create drawings and sketches that showcased support for women who were victims of violence or abuse in Bishnupur. He worked closely with his supervisor, Mrs. Leimapokpam Chanu Yaiphabi, the center administrator at One Stop Center, to create posters that could be displayed in various locations in Bishnupur.
Sidharth’s work depicts cycles of discrimination and violence against women. The first portion of his artwork reveals the painful reality of female infanticide. The second portion portrays the agony and harassment that a girl child endures from her parents, who only desire a male child. The third portion signifies the maturation of a girl as she copes with the distress, anger, and mixed emotions arising from the harsh treatment she receives from society and even her own parents.
However, the last stage of the artwork depicts a powerful symbol of hope and resilience. The spirit animal of the person, locally represented by the horse, bursts out of the canvas. In local myths horses (Sagol) are symbols of strength, freedom, and intelligence, and their inner motivational power inspires individuals to move forward, strive for success in their endeavors, and become the best versions of themselves. This powerful local symbol encourages women to rise above the discrimination and biases they face and to find strength and inspiration within themselves to overcome their struggles and achieve their goals.
