Daring, bold, charismatic, confident, enigmatic and heeled; all these words can be used to describe a prima donna, and consequently Preema Nazia Andaleeb. As the face of Brand Forum Bangladesh, Preema is known as a force to be reckoned with. As an artist, in the last few years Preema has been making video works, which probe at social notions of the feminine, such as domesticity, fertility, sensuality. But in this exhibition, we saw a less tailored, less polished side of Preema. One which was scared, fragile and vulnerable, and yet courageous enough to put herself on display. But let us return to the heeled aspect of a prima donna. The heeled shoe is perhaps the most symbolic item of the female wardrobe, it is laden with historical and social references. The heeled shoe stands for sensuality, captivity, status and liberation. It is a pairing of opposites at once a sign of progress and a symbol of subjugation. A woman in heels is an illusion she appears to be half walking and suggesting the promise of imminent fall. For decades the heeled shoe was thrown out of the closet for being an attribute of female subjugation and back in as an accessory to liberation and empowerment. Today, for the most part, it has been demystified and returned to the shelf as an item of style, no longer a weapon in the feminist struggle. But gender wars aside, the high heel sinks deep into history. In Ancient Egypt, heels were functional they were used by butchers to move around the slaughterhouse. In 18th century France, it was men who donned what was known as the Louis heels to physically establish their higher social rank. So it should come as no surprise that Napolean, in his attempt to level the social classes, not only severed heads but also banned heels. Marie Antoinette in her last act of defiance stepped up to the guillotine in two inch high heels. Napoleon was not the first or last to take such a severe stance on elevated footwear of witches. And still today, the click of a heel is enchanting! Silence, ladies and gentlemen, here comes the Prima Donna! She is in motion, steady, and yet there is a sense that she is barely balancing. Perhaps that is the charm of a woman the fine and enigmatic balance. She can wade through blood, fire, broken roads, with ease and grace and still appear fragile.

Date: 04.05.2013 – 13.05.2013
Venue: Bengal Art Lounge
Organiser: Bengal Foundation