When 16 women from two distant countries and cultures — Germany and India — come together to “draw their world”, one would expect a widely varied set of experiences. But the issues that repeatedly pop up in this collection of graphic narratives, The Elephant in the Room (Zubaan/ Spring, Rs 850), show that the challenges women face transcend borders. From the cover of the book to the panels inside, the contributors break the silence by courageously sharing their deepest secrets and addressing the kinds of ‘shame’ that are imposed on womanhood.
Illustration from 'Otherly Urges' by Archana Sreenivasan The Elephant in the Room, Zubaan/Spring
There is depth in their narratives; the illustrations are as illuminating. Whether it is Katrin Stangl’s minimalism, Ludmilla Bartscht’s absurdism, Priya Kuriyan’s intricate sketches or Reshu Singh’s monotone chiaroscuro, the graphics complement the accompanying story. The female reader, regardless of age, sex, nationality, race, or even class, will find herself in these tales.
Illustration from 'For the Sake of' by Kruttika Susarla The Elephant in the Room, Zubaan/Spring
Illustration from 'Daughters' by Stephanie Wunderlich The Elephant in the Room, Zubaan/Spring
Illustration from 'Juicy Lucy' by Ludmilla Bartscht The Elephant in the Room, Zubaan/Spring