Female artists break through patriarchal structures

Life for women in Asia is shaped by deeply rooted traditions, patriarchy, and social boundaries. From an early age, girls in South Asia experience restrictions on their freedom, opportunities, and self-perception. This inequality leaves lasting marks – also on women artists, whose work often grows out of these lived realities.

Why is there so much inequality? Why are girls considered less valuable? What is wrong with my body?
These questions have accompanied the artist Ragini Upadhyaya since childhood.

Growing up in a male-dominated society, she turned art into her language of resistance. Through her travels across South Asia, she encountered many women artists who transformed pain, oppression, and silent struggle into creative power. As the first woman Chancellor of the Nepal Academy of Fine Arts (2014–2018), Ragini Upadhyaya challenged patriarchal structures and opened pathways for women artists to enter leadership and decision-making roles.

This presentation shows how injustice can give rise to strength. The artworks speak of suffering and resistance, but also of courage, self-empowerment, and determination. These challenges do not silence women artists – they make them stronger.

Ragini Upadhyaya is a renowned Nepalese artist and held the position of chancellor (First Women Chancellor) of Nepal Academy of Fine Arts. She was one of the artists featured in the Nepal Art Now exhibition, which was shown at the Weltmuseum Wien in 2019. Recently, her work was presented in a comprehensive retrospective at the Bihar Museum in India, which was a great success. Ragini Upadhyaya is currently the only Asian artist invited to the international exhibition Die Spiele des Eros (The Games of Eros) at the Women’s Museum in Bonn. Following the opening of this exhibition, she will travel to Vienna for our lecture.

Lecture in English language
To participate in the event, all guests need a valid museum ticket.
Participation is free for annual ticket holders, Weltmuseum Wien Friends, Patrons, Members and Ambassadors as well as ICOM members and holders of the Kulturpass.
Registration: online
Meeting point: WMW Forum