~ The exhibition addresses the physical and emotional weight that women carry through the medium of art.
Well known Goan artists Harshada Kerkar and Chaitali Morajkar will feature their curated artworks as part of ‘What Women Carry,’ a compelling dual-artist exhibition scheduled to be held at the Museum of Goa in Pilerne from March 28.
The exhibition delves into the physical and emotional weight which women carry, alongside the possibilities that arise when they let go.
Through distinct yet complementary styles, Kerkar and Morajkar offer a layered narrative on womanhood. Harshada Kerkar’s works depict women in everyday Goan markets, their forms shaped by the weight they bear, both literal and metaphorical. The vessels they carry mirror their experiences, some dented and worn, others unmarked, hinting at concealed struggles. Her art invites viewers to pause and acknowledge the unseen weight women carry through their lives.
“The women I depict in my work are inspired by real-life figures—my mother, the fruit and vegetable vendors who passed through my home in Panaji and even Olympic champions like Mirabai Chanu,” said Kerkar. “Their weight may not always be adorned with medals, but they carry the weight of resilience, sacrifice and unrecognised strength” she added.
One of Kerkar’s art works which will be on display at the exhibition involves a 10-foot drawing of a woman balancing a giant pumpkin. “There is no limit to what women can bear and more importantly, what they can achieve,” she further said.
In contrast, Chaitali Morajkar’s surrealist approach reimagines women free from the weights of expectation. Her figures twist and stretch beyond reality, embodying a vision of womanhood untethered by duty and endurance. Her work encourages reflection on the freedom and joy that emerge when women relinquish imposed roles and reclaim space for themselves.
“My work is deeply rooted in Goan tradition, both in material and theme. I paint on terracotta pots—specifically the kudnem shape, a form familiar in Goan households. Using tempera on the backside of these pots, I explore motifs like flowers, coconuts and fish, with women as the central figures,” said Chaitali Morajkar. “The fish, in particular, is more than just a symbol of sustenance; I use it as a means of expression, transforming it into something beyond its literal meaning.”
By juxtaposing these perspectives, ‘What Women Carry’ creates a dialogue on the resilience, struggles and dreams of women. It is an invitation to witness both the heaviness and lightness of their existence, making space for the strength found not only in bearing weight but in choosing to set them down.
The dual-artist exhibition will be held on the second floor of the Museum of Goa from March 28 and will be open to the public till May 18.
