My Body as Canvas

Can Henna, applied to symbolise celebration, become a form of resistance to discuss issues around gender, identity and power. In this session we will apply henna on our body to talk about issues that we encounter in our daily lives.

© Vicky Shahjehan Vicky Shahjehan is a trans artist from Colombo's Slave Island neighbourhood. Slave island is a diverse neighborhood in the suburbs of Colombo which Vicky is part of, Vicky advocates women and girls that faces marginalization and discrimination by creating large murals highlighting their issues across the neighborhood which is under the effects of gentrification and urbanisation.

Vicky has Indian-Sri Lankan heritage also a Tamil-muslim, Vicky is known for her use of Henna Artwork - Her work explores the diverse experiences of communities that faces inequality, with a focus on feminism and gender-justice through story-telling. Vicky uses art as counterforce to drive social changes, Vicky is an Ambassador with the Fearless Collective since 2022 - promoting art as a form of collective imagining, reclaiming public spaces through feminist narratives and social discourse.

This event is part of the public programme of Empowerment: Art and Feminisms, a South Asian multidisciplinary travelling exhibition on view at JDA Perera Gallery from 4–11 August 2025. Featuring works by 31 feminist artists and collectives, the exhibition explores themes of gender, identity, care, resistance, and inclusion across South Asia. Empowerment is curated by Andreas Beitin, Katharina Koch, and Uta Ruhkamp, and co-produced by Kunstmuseum Wolfsburg and Goethe-Institut / Max Mueller Bhavan Mumbai.