{"id":171023,"date":"2024-04-06T00:57:47","date_gmt":"2024-04-06T00:57:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/culture.org\/?p=171023"},"modified":"2024-04-06T00:57:47","modified_gmt":"2024-04-06T00:57:47","slug":"art-for-change","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/culture.org\/art-and-culture\/art-for-change\/","title":{"rendered":"Transforming Perceptions Through Art: A Trans-Led Collective&#8217;s Journey in India"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The <b>Aravani Art Project<\/b> uses art to connect <a href=\"https:\/\/culture.org\/art-and-culture\/new-world-athletics-regulations-impact-transgender-women-athletes\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">transgender<\/a> people with the public, challenging discrimination and fostering acceptance.<\/p>\n           <!--  <script type=\"text\/javascript\">\r\n                jQuery(document).ready(function() {\r\n                    jQuery(\".key-accordion-item .key-menu\").on(\"click\", function() {\r\n                        if (jQuery(this).parent().hasClass(\"active\")) {\r\n                            jQuery(this).next().slideUp();\r\n                            jQuery(this).parent().removeClass(\"active\");\r\n                        } else {\r\n                            jQuery(\".key-content\").slideUp();\r\n                            jQuery(\".key-accordion-item\").removeClass(\"active\");\r\n                            jQuery(this).parent().addClass(\"active\");\r\n                            jQuery(this).next().slideDown();\r\n                        }\r\n                    });\r\n                })\r\n            <\/script> -->\r\n\r\n\r\n            <!-- start html -->\r\n\r\n            <div class=\"news-key-takeaway-wapper\">\r\n                                <span style=\"background-color:#4db2ee;\">Key Takeaways<\/span>\r\n                <ul class=\"news-key-nbox\" style=\"border-color:#4db2ee;background-color:rgba(77, 178, 238, 0.1);\">\r\n                                                        <li>Despite legal recognition, transgender people in India face discrimination and social exclusion.<\/li>\r\n                                                                    <li>The Aravani Art Project uses public art to connect transgender people with society, promoting inclusiveness.<\/li>\r\n                                                                    <li>The collective's work has led to increased awareness, changed perceptions, and provided livelihood opportunities.<\/li>\r\n                                                <\/ul>\r\n            <\/div>\r\n            \n<h2>The Beginning of Change: The Aravani Art Project<\/h2>\n<p>A decade ago, <a href=\"https:\/\/culture.org\/art-and-culture\/indias-new-museum-of-art-and-photography-promises-to-redefine-the-countrys-museum-landscape\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">India<\/a><b> recognized transgender people as a third gende<\/b>r. But reality still shows that they face much negativity.<\/p>\n<p>The <b>Aravani Art Project, based in Bengaluru, aims to change this through art<\/b>. It encourages transgender people to share their voices visually, improving public connections.<\/p>\n<p><b>Founder Poornima Sukumar <\/b>started this project to highlight the transgender community&#8217;s richness overlooked by society.<\/p>\n<p>Since 2016, the collective has made public art that speaks loudly of their life and struggles.<\/p>\n<h2>How Art Is Shifting Perceptions and Making a Difference<\/h2>\n<p>This project <b>creates a safe space where transgender people can express themselves without fear<\/b>, painting walls that tell their stories.<\/p>\n<p>Working on these art projects in public spaces has not only united the transgender community but also opened a dialogue with bystanders, leading to greater acceptance.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">Favorite street art: the one done by Aravani Art Project (find them on Instagram) across India to celebrate and enable the transgender community. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/I94a0C91YD\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">pic.twitter.com\/I94a0C91YD<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Jenny Gustafsson (@atJenny) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/atJenny\/status\/1138783269686861825?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">June 12, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p>In cities across India and even at Facebook headquarters, <b>Aravani&#8217;s murals bring joy and a message of inclusion<\/b>.<\/p>\n<p>These art pieces offer a source of livelihood and reclaim spaces for transgender people, making a strong statement against discrimination.<\/p>\n<h2>Stories of Transformation and Hope<\/h2>\n<p>Lead artists like<b> Shanthi Muniswamy and Karnika Bai share how art has been a transformative tool for them<\/b>, allowing them to overcome societal barriers and discrimination.<\/p>\n<p>Through their public art, they&#8217;ve engaged with the broader community, fostering understanding and breaking down prejudices.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"instagram-media\" style=\"background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);\" data-instgrm-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/reel\/C4qHGffoVKB\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" data-instgrm-version=\"14\">\n<div style=\"padding: 16px;\">\n<div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;\">\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;\">\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"padding: 19% 0;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"padding-top: 8px;\">\n<div style=\"color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;\">View this post on Instagram<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"padding: 12.5% 0;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;\">\n<div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"margin-left: 8px;\">\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"margin-left: auto;\">\n<div style=\"width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div style=\"display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;\">\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;\"><\/div>\n<div style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p style=\"color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;\"><a style=\"color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/reel\/C4qHGffoVKB\/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">A post shared by Aravani Art Project (@aravaniartproject)<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><script async src=\"\/\/www.instagram.com\/embed.js\"><\/script><\/p>\n<p><b>Their artworks often include symbols from local cultures<\/b>, making each piece deeply personal and rooted in the community&#8217;s identity.<\/p>\n<p>This approach not only celebrates transgender lives but also the beauty found in everyday moments and connections.<\/p>\n<h2>Challenges Remain, Yet Progress Inspires<\/h2>\n<p>Despite significant strides made by the Aravani Art Project, challenges persist for transgender people in India. Educational and economic participation remains low, and <b>social acceptance is not universal<\/b>.<\/p>\n<p>However, the project&#8217;s visibility has <b>brought confidence and a stronger voice<\/b> to the community members.<\/p>\n<p><b>Collaborations with brands and independent commissions<\/b> show a growing acceptance and demand for transgender artists&#8217; work. Personal stories of acceptance, like Muniswamy&#8217;s, highlight the profound societal impact of the project.<\/p>\n<h2>Using Art for Greater Good<\/h2>\n<p>The Aravani Art Project exemplifies how art can be a powerful tool for social change, creating a bridge between transgender individuals and the broader public.<\/p>\n<p>Through their creative expression, they&#8217;re challenging stereotypes and painting a picture of hope and inclusivity for future generations, both in India and around the world.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":10026,"featured_media":171024,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[410],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-171023","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-art-and-culture"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/culture.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/171023"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/culture.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/culture.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/culture.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/10026"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/culture.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=171023"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/culture.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/171023\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/culture.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/171024"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/culture.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=171023"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/culture.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=171023"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/culture.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=171023"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}