We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the land on which the Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art stands and recognise the creative contribution First Australians make to the art and culture of this country.
Naiza Khan / Pakistan b.1968 / Armour Suit for Rani of Jhansi II 2017 / Galvanised steel, feathers, leather, ed. 2/2 / 88 x 40 x 32cm / Private collection / © Naiza Khan/ Image courtesy: Naiza Khan and Rossi & Rossi, Hong Kong | London
Naiza KhanArmour Suit for Rani of Jhansi II 2017
Not Currently on Display
Since 2006, Naiza Khan has created a significant number of sculptures that address the private and public presence of the female body. Called the ‘Heavenly Ornaments’ series, the works refer to heroines and female warriors, as well as costume and bodily apparatus, and explore how the female body has been treated throughout history and in different contexts. Some evoke ideas of beauty and elegance, while others — such as corsets and chastity belts — imply dominance and objectification.
Armour Suit for Rani of Jhansi II 2017 takes its title from a heroine of the resistance against the British Raj during the Indian Rebellion of 1857; Rani of Jhansi is commonly portrayed as a gallant fighter adorned in jewels, and equipped with weapons and armour. Other artworks from the series depict historical European costumes and garments incorporating holes, spikes and piercings, highlighting the militarism and violence that the body has been subject to throughout the world.
Naiza Khan has a special interest in what she has called ‘the ambiguous and complex relationship between the female body and female identity’. Her works explore the representation of women in
postcolonial Pakistan, as well as the political role of the body, and conventions of beauty and gender.
Discussion Questions
1. What is the main function of armour? Have you ever seen armour treated as an art object before?
2. Imagine what it would feel like to wear Kahn’s sculpture. Consider the weight and your ability to move.
Activities
Research a female hero and design a suit of armour that pays homage to her legacy. Consider what the functions of your armour will be.