Ulaanbaatar /MONTSAME/. On the occasion of International Women’s Day and 80th anniversary of the Mongolian Craftsmen's United Association /MCUA/, Mongolian female artists have opened an exhibition titled ‘Gray box’ at the Art Gallery on March 7.

One of the highlights of the works is an expression how the global pandemic has influenced on people’s psychology and where the art is heading amid this challenging circumstance.

In her opening speech, Head of the Arts and Cultural Policy Department of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Science and Sports B.Sergelen noted, “Through their own unique inner world, female artists have created their works in different way, which makes this exhibition very special.”

On the occasion of the International Women’s Day, the Mongolian Craftsmen's United Association traditionally hosts Mongolian female artists’ joint exhibition. However, it was suspended for two years due to the pandemic.

At the exhibition, over 130 artists have displayed more than 200 works that have touched upon the issues facing modern society including ecological imbalance, climate change, environmental degradation, air pollution, city’s unplanned settlements, overpopulation, child protection and social attitude.

Sculptor J. Purevsuren said, “With this work, I wanted to touch upon the issue concerning the rights of citizens who are unable to make their voice heard in the society. My work can be an imagination of feelings experienced by LGBT people, people whose economic freedom is restricted, people with special needs as well as victims of domestic violence.”   

Nomin Marneur, a first-year master's student at the University of Contemporary Art in the National School of Art of Paris Cergy (ENSAPC), is participating in the exhibition for the first time with her works, including ‘Adam and Eve’ and ‘Dream’. She has been studying in France since 2014 and is currently practicing craftsman restoration at the National Museum of Mongolia under the guidance of D.Nyamsuren.

For about her work ‘Dream’, she said, “Our dreams are full of disorderly events, but the feelings are very clear. Both pictures here can be described by the same word. It is a reminiscence, a sadness, a desire to feel a lost innocence again, perhaps rediscover it.” “Dreams are much freer than our daily lives. In this sense, dreams give a very important impetus to an artist. The dreams are a universe of symbols.  It might be the interpretation of real life and the way out of life in captivity,” Nomin added. 

Moreover, artist B.Nomin raised the issue concerning air pollution facing Mongolians who transited from a nomadic lifestyle to sedentarism. In her work called ‘Toy box’, she has displayed 108 dolls made of woolen yarn wearing deels and face masks.

The exhibition is open at the Mongolian Craftsmen's United Association until March 18.