Curator : Shristi Sainani
Host : Conflictorium, Ahmedaba
Dates : 6th July 2024 - 6th August 2024
Artist : Mayuri Chari, Biraaj Dodiya, Sewali Deka, Guerrilla Girls, Piyali Ghosh, Janhavi Khemka, Shakuntala Kulkarni, Rachel Libeskind, Aravani Art Project, Aban Raza, Julie Rrap, Shrimanti Saha, Manjari Sharma, Ayesha Singh, Urna Sinha, Zahra Yazdani. 
             
             
“On the day when it will be possible for woman to love not in her weakness but in her strength, not to escape
herself but to find herself, not to abase herself but to assert herself - on that day love will become for her, as
for man, a source of life and not of mortal danger.”
— Simone de Beauvoir

The proposed exhibition is the second iteration, rather an extension, of the originally executed [Tender
buttons, and a] Bellyache. The exhibition was an essential to converse around the notions of womanhood,
and the place women hold in society. It is well known that women are under-represented in India's legislative
assemblies, and therefore authoritative decisions implemented in the fabric of the nation are grossly dictated
by a patriarchal outlook. Moreover, with the prevalence of discriminatory social norms, females are
susceptible to the possibility of child marriage, teenage pregnancy, child domestic work, poor education and
health, sexual abuse, exploitation and violence.

When it is said to ‘stop bellyaching’ they mean, to cease complaining about something that seems
unreasonable or unjustified. Actions, intentions, words and dilemmas are deliberately caged, trapped in layers
between sediments. They turn to secrets, veil, endless pits of rubble that turn heavy. The gut feels full, then
again, there is a bellyache — an ache to reveal, an ache to set free, an ache to unravel the hidden bits which
make the very foundation of (a) being.

According to data sieved by UNICEF India, India is the only large country where more girls die than boys, and
drop out of school. During their age of adolescence, girls tend to face extensive limitations on their ability to
move freely and to make decisions affecting their work, education, marriage and social relationships. There
are risks, violations and vulnerabilities girls face just because they are girls. Most of these risks are directly
linked to the economic, political, social and cultural disadvantages girls deal with in their daily lives.

Through the second iteration of this exhibition, titled [Tender buttons, and another] Bellyache, we re-
examine texts by poet Gertrude Stein and philosopher Simone de Beauvoir to further assess what it means to
be a woman in today’s day and age. We critically assess the ‘being of a woman’ to collectively contribute to a
dialogue which will empower women. Consequently, enhancing the quality of (an entire) society.


Feebly stitched buttons of a garment, when forced to expand beyond capacity will unfasten, or even break to
being unruly. Patriarchy hurts both women and men, actively causing social deprivation. The presentation of
[Tender buttons, and another] Bellyache intends to stray away from the vicious circle of societal
formations, keeping in mind the context of South Asia which has underlying traditions and currents of
suppression. [Tender buttons, and another] Bellyache gives agency to artists to realise manifestations that
reflect personal narratives, socio-cultural encounters and overheard histories.

[Tender buttons, and another] Bellyache is a presentation incurred as a result of sustained interest on
societal position of a woman and an inquiry of patriarchy that leads to social deprivation. The exhibition is
curated by Shristi Sainani.