Silent Stories in Art

An Extension of Oral Histories

Abstract

Silent stories exist in every culture as examples of lives that have been lived and experiences that have been shared. They are a collection of voices that go on to describe the community and the self, even while operating from the periphery. These are tales of the everyday, as well as events of various magnitudes which go on to define not just the artist, but those around them as well.  This paper delves into oral history, with a focus on fabric art, as a repository of the silent experiences of people. It looks at the lived realities of women, who not only subvert the notion of what art can be, but also consistently create and give meaning to it. We go on to look at orality as a medium that is all inclusive and allows for complete self-expression without any restraint. Silent histories of generations are often transmitted through the oral medium and kept alive within the household and beyond. The two examples of fabric art have been chosen here to analyse the role of authority and memory in the reconstruction of personal narratives. The conversation-like consumption and interpretation of art allows the viewer to enter into an intimate dialogue with the artist. In the end, silent histories are untold stories that will continue to exist. They are subversive voices that offer us a perspective that is both extremely niche and personal, yet communal in the way that they also hold a mirror to the society and environment from which they emerge. By extending silent histories to include oral histories, we enlarge the scope with which silence can be studied outside of the ornate. We recognise the ‘little voices’ and their ability to tell a story in a compelling tone, thus legitimising their chosen platform of expression.