Lipsticks to eye pencils: An exhibition that uses cosmetics to create art

Lipstick, an exhibition showcases artworks made with using women’s cosmetic products is being held in Gurgaon. An ode to women, it features works of artists who toast the spirit of women, with the colours of makeup on canvas and paper.

International Women’s Day may have just gone by, but the issues are pertinent even now. Celebrating womanhood, an exhibition titled Lipstick, is being held in the city that comprises artworks made of varied cosmetics products such as lipstick, nail polish, eye shadow, kohl and henna.

An exhibition titled Lipstick held in Gurgaon where artworks are made using cosmetics.

“The idea has been with me for the last couple of years. I wanted to use art in a way that draws attention to women’s struggles and finds an equal footing in a society that still has a patriarchal approach to several issues. Cosmetics are largely identified as a product used by women only, and makeup qualifies as a form of art. So we’ve used cosmetics to highlight issues that women face,” says Tejeesh Singh, curator.

Celebrating the spirit of women, it highlights the cause of women empowerment, and features works of artists such as Babli Das, Dinesh Kumar Parmar, Indu Tripathi, Jessie Shrimali, Nandita Richie, Saranjit Singh Myall, Shri Kumar Adhikari, Sonam Chaprana.

Artist Nandita Richie,whose artworks are made using coloured eye pencils, lipsticks is a graduate from Delhi College of Arts. Speaking on her works, she says, “I have been inspired by nature. I had never used this medium before and it was a challenge for me. I got inspired by the flower lotus and I relate it to womanhood. Just as the flower rises above muddy water, a woman too comes out of any situations in life.”