In “Face of Women” Nazia Andaleeb Preema reveals the passion and poison of being a woman. She simultaneously captures and questions the conflict and contrast of women, their beauty, and provocation. In this 2009 painting, she captured women, their pain, and their pleasure. Painting women in bright colors and hiding them behind monochrome she addresses how women always hide their true selves behind the veil of customs and tradition.
Her approach is lyrical. She doesn’t shy away from addressing the truth and uses her technical skill to bring out sensitivity in the painting.
“Face of Women” is an attempt to explore the face behind the mask, the truth behind the tale, and the life behind the myth.
Artist Profile
Nazia A Preema
Born on 19 November 1974, Nazia Andaleeb Preema received her master’s in Drawing and Painting from the Institute of Fine Arts, University of Dhaka, in 2000. She was one of the first artists in Bangladesh to incorporate new media art – performance, video installation, and digital art – in her portfolio. Her works, especially videos, have been widely exhibited and have received international acclamation. Preema was one of the artists who represented Bangladesh at the 58th Venice Biennale. She lives and works in Dhaka.
Face of Women
Staring Women - 4
“Staring women” is a 2009 painting by Nazia Andaleeb Preema. She painted women in their rawness. Two wide-eyed women looking straight into viewers express the way of womanhood in an increasingly globalized Bangladesh. Breaking the stereotype of painting women as an object of male attention, Nazia Andaleeb Preema creates characters that are fearless. She paints women in control of their life and surroundings. She translates personal narrative into her art and navigates into the mind of her characters. Instead of keeping their eyes low, her characters stare back, look into eyes, and challenge their gaze. They rise against society’s remarks and judgments of others.
And in this painting, the painter cheers for their courage and celebrates their life.
Artist Art Style
Her work has been recognized for its innovative approach, distinct technique and lyrical overtones. Her current body of work on canvas, video and installation indicate pleasure and celebration of freedom for women, their beauty and provocation. She was one of the first artists in Bangladesh to incorporate new media art – performance, video installation and digital art – in her portfolio. Her drawing, painting and performances are visual representation of women in South Asian society, which grabs the attention of audience’s every time. Preema’s video and performances are bold, strong and powerful.