women-in-a-box appeared in my ib art exhibition titled in-between: indian-american. the piece uses a variety of media, including fabric from a traditional women's garment, jewelry, bangles, a circular mirror, and safety pins. all the media allude to a typical indian woman's day to day objects. safety pins, in particular, represent the sometimes demeaning expectations of modesty placed on women by society. the object takes the form of a box, symbolizing the constrictive box women are trapped inside in conservative indian societies. the placement of the jewelry on the box resembles the venus symbol, or the female symbol (♀). the circular part of the symbol includes a mirror that shows the reflection of the viewer. here is a piece i wrote for this work:
by the threads of the box
were the women kept.
cuffed.
closed.
behind the insulting label of venus.
in the circle of femininity
is a reflection
yours
because change begins with
you.
