Bhubaneswar: Talented women artists are drawing the attention of art lovers at an exhibition organised at the Odisha Modern Art Gallery here.

Forty-four women artists have teamed up to showcase their work at the exhibition titled "Art Era".

Artist Tarakanta Parida said: "Women and art are synonymous in many ways. Women artists are a rarity in our state especially in a region known for the glorious temple art which looks beautiful by the presence of murals on women."

He further said that layers of social constraints and behavioural patterns pull women away from contemporary art.

The paintings at the exhibition have been canvassed using a lot of bright colours. Each painting speaks about the frame of mind the character is in.

"This is the second time that I am taking part in this exhibition. I got a chance to meet other women artists and understand their perceptions of their work," said painter Swati Choudhury.

Visitors at the exhibition said they loved the paintings. "Very few women artists come to limelight from the state. The paintings by these artists of repute will encourage upcoming women artists as well," said Ashish Jena, a visitor at the exhibition.

The themes of the paintings included abstract works on various topics ranging from dance forms and companionship among women.

"The time has come that women artistes should take concrete steps to be at par with their counterpart. Various stakeholders in the field need to come forward and help them get the right exposure," Parida said.

Apart from the art exhibition at the Odisha Modern Art Gallery, another exhibition on women celebrating feminine vitality, beauty and courage was held at Bocca Café here. Some of the most extraordinary thought-provoking masterpieces to mark the impact that women are making in our society, economy, culture and politics every day, around the world were showcased. Tourism secretary Mona Sharma inaugurated the event.