A painter, whose artworks are on display at Gaganendra Shilpa Pradarshasala, has dedicated a special piece to the RG Kar doctor who was raped and murdered on August 9.

The exhibition, Sharmi’s Art Beyond Tradition by artist Sharmila Sen, brings out the richness of the various art forms of Bengal.

“The masks and the panels are crafted out of wood. The engraved conch shells are beautiful. Some of them took three months to chisel,” Sen said.

The wall piece that Sen created as a tribute to the RG Kar doctors

“We have different art forms in Bengal that must be showcased to the world. Different districts have their own stories. For example, at Pingla in West Midnapore, the artists are mostly Muslims but they have a thorough knowledge of Hindu mythology,” said Sen.

Sen works with artisans from South Dinajpur, East Midnapore, West Midnapore, Burdwan, and Bankura.

Her visits to the Hastashilpa Mela in the city in 2005-2006 inspired her to start working with the artisans. Her first exhibition was in 2010.

One of the engraved conch shells on display

Sen’s tribute to the RG Kar victim is a wall piece. It is not for sale.

It shows the woman in the middle with the perpetrator and the investigators surrounding her. On the top are hands in fist demanding justice.

Others items on display.

“This is my way of protesting against the rape and murder and demanding women’s safety. I have been fortunate to have my family’s support,” said Sen.

The exhibition is on till September 9.