EXHIBITION ‘Sacred Transformations’, a series of photographs by Niraj Gera at Academy of Fine Arts & Literature (AFAL), 4/6, Sirifort Institutional Area > 7th to 12th March 2017

Time : 11:00 am - 7:00 pm -  Add to Calendar 07/03/2017 11:00 12/03/2017 19:00 Asia/Kolkata EXHIBITION ‘Sacred Transformations’, a series of photographs by Niraj Gera Event Page : http://www.delhievents.com/2017/03/exhibition-sacred-transformations.html Academy of Fine Arts & Literature (AFAL), 4/6, Sirifort Institutional Area, New Delhi - 110049 DD/MM/YYYY Exhibition on View

Entry : Free

Venue : Academy of Fine Arts & Literature (AFAL), 4/6, Sirifort Institutional Area, New Delhi - 110049
Landmark : Opp. Siri Fort Auditorium Gate No. 2 
Venue Info : About | Map | Events | Nearest Metro Station - 'Green Park(Yellow Line)'

Event Description : EXHIBITION Photographer Niraj Gera’s powerful images chronicle the journey of women acid attack survivors, in a series titled ‘Sacred Transformations’

‘Sacred Transformations’, a series of photographs by Niraj Gera, that aim to communicate the plight of women acid attack survivors, will be displayed from March 6-12 at Arpana Caur Art gallery, August Kranti Marg.

Delhi based Photographer Niraj Gera is presenting a solo exhibition titled - Sacred Transformations based on the journey of Acid attack survivors. The’s photographs will take you through some of the major emotional stages in the lives of the women who were the targets one of the most dreaded forms of violence meted out to women in today’s society—acid attacks. The photo series, which has been honoured and awarded in some of the prestigious International Photography competitions, shows them transforming from devastation to confidence and from wreckage to happiness. The series also brings forth the element of gender discrimination and societal conditioning (such as suppression and restrictions) which have facilitated in making women more vulnerable to such evil acts. The photographer is showing ​36 photographs. 

Shocking and inspiring stories unfold through Gera’s photographs, like that of Laxmi, who is also the face of the acid attack campaign -Stop Acid Attacks. She was attacked at the age of 15, by a man of 32, whose advances she had rejected, and last year wowed everyone at the British Asian Trust charity fashion show. Some other stories cover a mother and her daughter; Geeta and Neetu, who were attacked by Geeta’s husband who mercilessly poured acid on his own wife and daughter. Rupali, another survivor, was attacked by a stranger for her growing popularity in the regional cinemas. The unfair stories of these brave hearts and many more, not only scream out loud in this series but also show a different, never before heard story of their lives and emotions.

Gera captures the journey of difficulties which they have faced as women (and which many continue to face even today), a journey of their emotions from the time of the attack to the time they survived. A journey of their evolution and transformation, not just on the level of physicality but also a journey towards spiritualty and strength and much more which Niraj Gera has explored and expressed through some extremely powerful and articulated photographs.

Niraj Gera’s first interaction with the survivors was at a protest march held at the Jantar Mantar( Delhi) in the year 2014, where he was moved and at the same time motivated to bring some changes in their lives. This is where it all started. He travelled that extra mile to get to know them, “This series is probably the first of its kind”, says the photographer “Through this exhibition, I intend to make their presence felt in the mainstream and society.  The exhibition is an attempt to bring about awareness about the deathly trauma they go through so as to make the society more sensitive towards this issue and the survivors. No reason can ever justify such a heinous crime and no amount of guilt can ever undo the wrong. Such crimes despite the amendment of 2013 have only arisen, and seriously needs to be checked. India has one of the highest records of such attacks and yet the convictions in such cases are abysmally low.  It has to be stopped.” While he expresses a strong condemnation for such evil acts he also believes that   “we cannot lose hope and even the worst of tragedy, come what may, cannot devoid you of your happiness”.

Niraj Gera, also a faculty at the Art of Living foundation has conducted the Art of living – Happiness Program for the survivors, introducing them to the path of spirituality, which has not only brought more stability in their mind but has also transformed their life through ‘Sudarshan Kriya’, Meditation and other motivational sessions, and has also helped them overcome fear and self-doubt to a great extent.  It has helped them become far more composed and at peace with themselves & the world around them, making them happier and confident.  For they have realized that when you are happy, the world becomes a beautiful place. This series is the narration of their sacred transformation and definitely not something you could afford to miss.

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