Seeking Saudi Womens Serenity through Art - Essay Example

Name Affiliation Course Tutor Date Seeking Saudi women’s serenity through art Introduction Women have continually been treated as legal minors in the Arabic world. The Arabian Peninsula is a traditional home of patriarchal values in which separation of men and women, and honour is considered vital (Mtango 2004: 51). In Saudi Arabia, women must have male guardians who determine important aspects of their lives such as marriage, work, study, finance, and medical procedures. The women rights in Saudi Arabia are defined by long-held and deeply rooted tribal customs as well as the Islamic law (Mtango 2004: 49). Symbolically, the restricted rights of the Saudi Arabian women can be witnessed through their dressing in public. These women are expected to cover their faces and most of their body with the hijab and abaya respectively. Despite the seemingly restriction in freedom of expression, it has been observed that Saudi women are at ease with expressing themselves through arts. According to Milner (2012: Para. 1) the theme of feminism is well expressed in the Saudi’s women arts in which they are bold and uncensored. They depict certain strength through their various modes ways of artistic expression that cannot easily be identified on the surface of the veils of the black abayas. This essay will discuss how the Saudi women seek serenity through art as the Saudi woman is disrespected and/or undermined. The essay looks at the Saudi Society’s look toward women, opinion about the situation, women activists in Saudi, current works that depict the situation, and prospects to change the situation and make the women’s lives better. The Saudi Society’s look towards women The Saudi society undermines the capability of women through restricting them with freedoms of expression and participation in activities that can utilize the nation’s resources. The women represent nearly half the population of all communities hence they have the capability to form valuable resources for a healthy society. Yet in the Saudi society, the woman’s place is minimal as her efforts are less encouraged and unappreciated. There are several limitations on activities that a woman can get involved in the Saudi society. Regardless, of age, all women in the Saudi society are expected to have a male guardian (Mtango 2004: 49-50). The guardian’s role is to determine or give the woman the permission for marriage, or divorce, education, travel, opening a bank account, and employment among other activities. If in public or among men that they are not related to, the Saudi woman is expected to cover her head and most of her body with a veiled abaya which is the name for the full black clock they wear. Also, the Saudi women are expected to minimize their interaction with men who are not members of their family. Segregation is also observed in the use of public facilities and at homes where there are separate entrances for men and women at banks, offices, and educational institutions. The segregation has also been extended to public transportation, amusement parks, and beaches as well as other entertainment resorts. Sports are strongly discouraged for women. The country has also placed a ban for driving by women. Saudi Arabia is the only country in the world where women are banned from driving and this serves the purpose to limit contact with men who are not immediate family members. Opinion about the situation Human rights circumstances remain poor in Saudi Arabia especially those concerning the visibility of women, and their freedom of expression (Khabir 2000: 1251). The authorities proceed to systematically suppress or fail to protect the rights f the Saudi women and girls. The Saudis believe that allowing women some rights like driving a car could lead to openness and erosion of traditional values as perceived of the Westernized women. Each year, it is common for women to receive either unfair trials or arbitrary detention. Serious concerns surround curbs on freedom of association, movement, and expression, as well as an ingrained lack of official accountability (Pharon 2004: 350). Most women and girls in the country are victims of domestic violence and also face governmental and societal obstacles in obtaining redress. There are reported massive failures of the Human Rights Commission to respond to the plight of Saudi women. This is because Saudi Arabia strictly enforces segregation throughout the kingdom especially in work places, which impedes the full participation of women in the public life. As much as over 70 percent of the women are literate, only about 15 percent are part of the workforce. Still, women cannot be allowed working at influential positions such as being a judge or prosecutor (Mtango 2004: 54-57). The situation in the country is like that because the women’s rights in Saudi Arabia have been defined by deeply rooted tribal customs and Islam (Khabir 2000: 1251). It is believed that leaving the situation as it is, is a way of preserving the Saudi culture, and hence traditions are a sense of safety in this situation. However, the use of traditions to suppress and control part of the population can only lead to an imbalanced handicapped community. Despite the undermining of women’s rights, Saudi Arabia is a society of strong women with even stronger opinions, and art gives them the platform for their voices to be heard. Saudi women activists (people) e.g. Princess Ameera al Taweel There are bold women in Saudi who are ready to stand and let their voices be heard concerning the suppression of women’s rights in the country. For example, Princess Ameera al Taweel, who although is a privileged princess in Saudi Arabia, is also at the frontline for asking for women’s rights in her country (Kavidar 2012: Para. 1). The princess was quoted saying that the situation is a “loop that we need to fix and it needs to be fixed in the system”. Princess Taweel notes that a majority of the population are women below the age of 30 years and this is a right moment for them to be given a chance to take the lead and ask for their rights. The Princess believes that the government has the power to carry out reforms that will allow women most of their rights including driving, jobs, marriage, and education among others. Princess Ameerah’s husband-Prince Al Alwadeen bin Talal- who is nephew of the Saudi King is also supportive of reform activities that will help recognize the rights of women. In September 2012, the prince and princess opened an Islamic art wing of the Louvre museum in Paris using funds from the Alwaleed Foundations (Pesta 2012: Para 2-3). Princess Ameera stated that art enables people to become open-minded in various ways. Another brave activist is Manal Al-Sharif who in 2011 was jailed for posting a video of her driving on YouTube. Princess Ameera states that she is friends with Manal Al-Sharif, a brave woman who is out to fight for the rights of women (Pesta 2012: Para 4). Wajeha Al-Huwaider is also another activist who shuns the conservative values of preserving the society’s traditional gender roles and compares the situation to slavery. Wajeha strongly opposes the guardianship system and pushing for several rights of women in the country. On the International Women’s Day of 2008, she circulated a YouTube video that shows her driving in a rural area where the act is at least tolerated, and making a request for a universal right of women to drive (Sarras 2010: Para 3-8). Using art to voice out the point of view Female artists from Saudi Arabia are breaking taboos in the strictly conservative kingdom and gaining international acclaim through art. According to Milner (2012: Para 3), there is no public gallery dedicated to modern art in Saudi, instead there are only a few commercial galleries. However, there is a growing grass-roots movement of artists who are gaining international acclaim, majority of whom are women. The arts are mostly thought-provoking works entirely by the female artists, and most address the traditions that suppress the voice of women in the country. For example, Milner (2012: Para 6) points to some of the celebrated works by Manal Al Dowayan that bears titles such as Blinded by Tradition and Look beyond the Veil. To the Saudi women, art is the seemingly ‘soft power’ that now challenges the conservative trend in Saudi Arabia which forbids men to use a woman’s name in the public (Milner 2012: Para 7). The works of art give the women of Saudi a voice denied to them by the society in which they live. Manal Aldowayan’s work Manal Al Dowayan is an internationally recognized 39 year-old female artist from Saudi Arabia. She bears many celebrated pieces of work that speak about the situation in Saudi Arabia, and these include Blinded by Tradition, Look beyond the Veil, and Suspended Together. Most of her works are in photographs and installations (Milner 2012: Para 1-2, 6). Through her position as a lecture, Al Dowayan has held workshops in villages and schools to encourage women to become loud and paint their names on wooden spheres that she hangs from the ceiling such that they resemble enormous prayer beads. Al Dowayan’s art gallery that vividly expresses her stand in voicing out for the freedom of women in the country is a collection dubbed “The Choice”. According to Al Dowayan, this is a collection that is “influenced by an ongoing dialogue that affects the Arab women’s lives every day”. Through the Choice dialogue, the audience learns about the restrictions placed on women as a result of local traditions that have become integrated with religion and identity. Manol argues that when women’s dreams and achievements are unleashed and embraced, a societal balance would sure be created. Through Manol’s simple posed images, she has been able to communicate a very strong statement that surpasses abstractness. The subject of her works is disturbing topics especially for the conservative elites who would wish to retain the controlling traditions, but at the same time a source of triumph for those who wish to see the society transformed by including women in vital roles of community building. ‘The Choices’ are works on black and white photography medium by which Manal states that it gives the artist control over the whole process of reflecting the right visual affects desired along with “conveying the ideas clearly and unobstructed” (Al Dowayan 2012). The artist has also used a juxtaposition of contrasting colours, which she says that they offer simplicity, minimalism, and at the same time drama and depth. The Choice collection illustrates messages related to rights of women in the Saudi. For example, The Choice image is that of a woman’s face peeping behind a car’s steering wheel, certainly calling for the right of women to drive. The Choice II is that of a woman writing on a book, certainly communicating the need to allow education for girls to prevail. The Choice IV is of a woman holding a ball on the head, while The Choice V is that of a woman holding a racket, thus communicating the need to allow women in sports (Al Dowayn 2012). My work In my work, I have used art to emphasize on similar themes as that of other Saudi artists and activist. I have used different pictures of women on crumbled paper medium and mosaic loops spread over their faces. My idea is to illustrate that behind the veiled obscured image, there is a voice that longs for freedom to be heard. The issue of women rights in Saudi Arabia is both a social and political issue that needs to be addressed. However, the Saudi women can take the lead by being free to express themselves despite the restrictions in their environment. The photography on the images of women and installation on a crumbled background has been effective in helping me pass the message across. Every person has an idea on building a better society and it begins by embracing our individuality and expressing our rights. Women should be bold enough to write what they want, say what they want, and do what they want. It is through our thoughts and courage to express them that we can build the society we desire (Amanis 2012). The prospective is to change that and make women’s lives there better The prospective is to change how the traditional society views the women of the Saudi society and make their lives better. As seen from the arts of work and activist movements, there are strong women with even stronger opinions in Saudi Arabia. The important action to undertake is to encourage the voices of women and give them a platform from which they can be heard. Despite their gender, women are gifted and it is important for the society to tap into the resources that they can offer for a stronger and balanced society (Foreign Affairs 2008: 1). According to Fatany (2007:18) the prospective to change lies upon women uniting and supporting their fellow sisters that call for change and development. The Saudi women should also be quick to embrace change and opportunities that are extended to them at any moment. It is the women themselves who hold the key to prosperity or failure. Hence, they should come together for a common objective which concerns airing their opinions about their rights. Many people all over the world have been able to understand the situation in Saudi Arabia through the works of art that have received international accolade. It is a hope that the fight will continue and it will reach a day when the rights of the Saudi woman will be observed, her contributions to the society welcomed, and her capabilities appreciated. Conclusion Saudi Arabia is a society where the rights of women are continuously violated and women are considered perpetually as minors. Women of Saudi Arabia live under certain rules and conditions that suppress their freedom completely. These rules are determined by traditional tribal customs and the Islamic law. Despite the seemingly lack of freedom to express their concerns, the Saudi women are making their voices heart through art media and photography. The art media has formed a platform by which they can voice their choice, and their opinion. Through images of women embedded in themes of education, driving, marriage, expression through writing, and so on, the Saudi woman are now voicing an opinion that they want a society where there rights are recognized. Art is a great way to seek serenity and make one pass her message across in a clearly felt manner because it is stronger and more reflective. List of References: Al Dowayan, M. 2012. The Choices. Manol Al Dowayan. Retrieved November 27th 2012 from http://manaldowayan.com/-Manal_AlDowayan-/Art/Pages/The_Choice.html Amanis. 2012. My Level6. http://amanismylevel6.tumblr.com/ Fatany, S. 2007. Saudi women: towards a new era. Saudi Arabia: Ghainaa Publications. Foreign Affairs. 2008. “The making of a competitive kingdom”. Foreign Affairs,87(3), 1-2 Kavidar, D. 2012, September 25th. “AMANPOUR BLOGS: Saudi Princess Ameerah al-Taweel opens up about women’s rights” Iranian.com. Retrieved November 27th 2012 from http://www.iranian.com/main/blog/darius-kadivar/amanpour-blogs-saudi-princess-ameerah-al-taweel-opens-about-womens-rights Khabir, A. 2000. “Saudi Arabia invites UN after accusations of human-rights abuses”, Lancet, 355(9211), 1251-1255. Milner, C. 2012, November 27th. “Saudi’s fearless female artists”, The Telegraph. Retrieved November 27th 11 from http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/art/art-features/9518121/Saudis-fearless-female-artists.html. Mtango, S. 2004. “A state of oppression? Women’s rights in Saudi Arabia” Asia-Pacific Journal on Human Rights & the Law, 5(1), 49-67 Pesta, A. 2012, September 27th. “Saudi Princess Diaries: An outspoken royal on riots, women and ‘Seinfeld’. The Daily Beast. Retrieved November 27th 2012 from http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2012/09/27/saudi-princess-diaries-an-outspoken-royal-on-riots-women-and-seinfeld.html. Pharaon, N.A. 2004. “Saudi women and the Muslim State in the twenty-first century”, Sex Roles, 51(5/6), 349-366. Sarras, A. 2010, May 27th. “Saudi woman activist: Government must grant women’s rights”. RNW Lite. Retrieved November 27th from http://www.rnw.nl/english/article/saudi-woman-activist-government-must-grant-womens-rights-0 Read More

Also, the Saudi women are expected to minimize their interaction with men who are not members of their family. Segregation is also observed in the use of public facilities and at homes where there are separate entrances for men and women at banks, offices, and educational institutions. The segregation has also been extended to public transportation, amusement parks, and beaches as well as other entertainment resorts. Sports are strongly discouraged for women. The country has also placed a ban for driving by women.

Saudi Arabia is the only country in the world where women are banned from driving and this serves the purpose to limit contact with men who are not immediate family members. Opinion about the situation Human rights circumstances remain poor in Saudi Arabia especially those concerning the visibility of women, and their freedom of expression (Khabir 2000: 1251). The authorities proceed to systematically suppress or fail to protect the rights f the Saudi women and girls. The Saudis believe that allowing women some rights like driving a car could lead to openness and erosion of traditional values as perceived of the Westernized women.

Each year, it is common for women to receive either unfair trials or arbitrary detention. Serious concerns surround curbs on freedom of association, movement, and expression, as well as an ingrained lack of official accountability (Pharon 2004: 350). Most women and girls in the country are victims of domestic violence and also face governmental and societal obstacles in obtaining redress. There are reported massive failures of the Human Rights Commission to respond to the plight of Saudi women.

This is because Saudi Arabia strictly enforces segregation throughout the kingdom especially in work places, which impedes the full participation of women in the public life. As much as over 70 percent of the women are literate, only about 15 percent are part of the workforce. Still, women cannot be allowed working at influential positions such as being a judge or prosecutor (Mtango 2004: 54-57). The situation in the country is like that because the women’s rights in Saudi Arabia have been defined by deeply rooted tribal customs and Islam (Khabir 2000: 1251).

It is believed that leaving the situation as it is, is a way of preserving the Saudi culture, and hence traditions are a sense of safety in this situation. However, the use of traditions to suppress and control part of the population can only lead to an imbalanced handicapped community. Despite the undermining of women’s rights, Saudi Arabia is a society of strong women with even stronger opinions, and art gives them the platform for their voices to be heard. Saudi women activists (people) e.g. Princess Ameera al Taweel There are bold women in Saudi who are ready to stand and let their voices be heard concerning the suppression of women’s rights in the country.

For example, Princess Ameera al Taweel, who although is a privileged princess in Saudi Arabia, is also at the frontline for asking for women’s rights in her country (Kavidar 2012: Para. 1). The princess was quoted saying that the situation is a “loop that we need to fix and it needs to be fixed in the system”. Princess Taweel notes that a majority of the population are women below the age of 30 years and this is a right moment for them to be given a chance to take the lead and ask for their rights.

The Princess believes that the government has the power to carry out reforms that will allow women most of their rights including driving, jobs, marriage, and education among others. Princess Ameerah’s husband-Prince Al Alwadeen bin Talal- who is nephew of the Saudi King is also supportive of reform activities that will help recognize the rights of women. In September 2012, the prince and princess opened an Islamic art wing of the Louvre museum in Paris using funds from the Alwaleed Foundations (Pesta 2012: Para 2-3).

Princess Ameera stated that art enables people to become open-minded in various ways.

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