--- title: "Feminist & Socially Conscious Art Commissions | Girija Hariharan" description: "Looking for art that starts conversations? I create feminist and socially conscious paintings that challenge the status quo. Explore my activist art series or request a custom mural that tells your story." canonical: https://mytribe.in/2flatbrush/custom-art-paintings/art-as-activism-stories-of-resistance-and-change last_updated: 2025-09-02 --- # Art as Activism: Socially Conscious Commissions Tribe Verified · 15+ years of activist-artist experience. By [Girija](https://mytribe.in/2flatbrush) · Custom commissions delivered across India · ₹500 per artwork (estimate) Part of [Custom Art & Paintings](https://mytribe.in/2flatbrush/custom-art-paintings). [View full gallery](https://mytribe.in/2flatbrush/custom-art-paintings/gallery) I create art that challenges the status quo and starts necessary conversations. If you want a piece that pushes boundaries or tells a deeper story, let's talk. ## Photos and videos - ![The full view of "Sickle," from my "Violent Women" series. This 2 by 2 feet acrylic on canvas portrays a woman farm laborer, reimagining the sickle not just as a tool of agriculture, but as an instrument of power and rage against injustice.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/04853bd9-8217-429d-8ad9-b7138da14e9f) - ![Another perspective of the "Sickle" painting in my studio. The vibrant pink and red background contrasts with the cool blue of her skin, creating a visually jarring effect that is meant to be provocative.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/d3760380-88f9-4dba-9bec-31d8daf0bf06) - ![The "Sickle" painting, ready to challenge someone's living room decor. My feminist art is not meant to be passive; it is meant to start a conversation.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/40efe132-d3c8-480d-8427-76f7d6170b30) - ![A detail shot of the sickle itself. I used a handmade stencil for the background pattern, leaving its meaning open to interpretation while grounding the piece in my identity as a raging feminist.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/f129bb51-4e71-4c4c-b2ba-07d229a6a825) - !["Boy Carrying Lotus," an acrylic and fountain pen piece on paper. This is my statement that we must raise boys to carry flowers instead of rage, challenging traditional notions of masculinity.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/5d6ad5ae-a69d-4a28-be0d-d76f7f91506f) - ![A close up of the boy's face in "Boy Carrying Lotus." His expression is intentionally ambiguous, a mix of vulnerability and strength, against a swirling, passionate red background.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/a1d6009f-6e6d-4130-af4c-f8b475cf98d3) - [Video: This video shows the process of creating "Mending." Painting on the rough texture of a jute bag was a challenge, but it was essential to the concept of the piece. You can see the figure slowly taking form, stitch by stitch.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/283191ca-a82e-41f0-b833-ef77afc19659) - !["Wanna hear a story from the branches? My Grandma is a tree now!" This small acrylic on wood painting is about my grandmothers and the stories and strength women share. It’s a tribute to the female tribe.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/3b7bae63-91fc-4372-891e-a7266a3efb19) - !["Rose starring Saroja Devi," an acrylic on canvas tribute to the bold women of Tamil retro cinema. This piece celebrates female confidence and style with vibrant, unapologetic color.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/aae0f6d1-c9ea-440c-91ef-37649e1432f0) - !["Half a Woman," an acrylic painting on unstretched linen. This is a deeply personal piece about my experience with perimenopause, exploring questions of womanhood, aging, and the body's changes.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/a72a797a-0f25-441a-a685-1eed37f3ee40) - !["The Head of a Child." On some days, I can't paint anything else. This abstract piece is my response to the horrors I see in the world, specifically the violence against children in Rafah. No religion is worth a child's head.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/cee9ea0e-e76a-4c97-aa4d-7ff491b56040) - ![A small, meaningful painting dedicated to the sex workers of India. The proceeds from the sale of this piece and its larger version will go to support the work of my friends at Haanh Hum.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/07c6438d-97f3-45d0-9332-2f4f77802594) - ![This is the start of a series on the concept of "Space." I use abstract geometric forms to ask questions about who owns space, who defines it, and who is excluded. All proceeds from this series will support social justice work.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/8441db73-7c91-4aed-8954-bd2cfd8c6157) - ![An older piece, an oil painting of a woman screaming, framed in reclaimed wood. It’s a raw expression of rage and the need to be heard. This work is currently available for sale.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/331deb5d-8e93-4f48-bcad-b5ed27aa6936) - ![This acrylic painting explores themes of duality and identity. It's part of a collection of my older works that are available for purchase.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/588158ff-baf2-45cd-91cc-d52a84dd2baf) - ![A painting about solidarity and protection. The figures huddle together, their hands forming a shield. This piece is part of my studio sale.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/66e0572c-f1cd-43c3-a7d6-de8927267e98) - ![Another view of "The Head of a Child." The colors are chaotic and unsettling, reflecting the turmoil and grief that inspired it. This is art as a form of protest and bearing witness.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/73aaee3d-a15c-4f89-8e4c-149c80c72585) - ![The full view of "Boy Carrying Lotus," showing the delicate ink lines and the bleeding effect of the acrylic wash on paper.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/52fa5c0d-559c-4e36-9345-3e56a20671aa) - ![A cropped version of "Boy Carrying Lotus," emphasizing the central figure against the abstract background.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/b2ff603c-68dc-4537-8cc8-6d79883fe54c) - ![Another detail shot of "Boy Carrying Lotus," focusing on the texture of the paint and the boy's intense gaze.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/6ae5c3c3-d192-41c5-a437-2ff59455c409) - [Video: A video showing the creation of "Boy Carrying Lotus." It starts with a light wash of color, and then I use a fountain pen and acrylics to build the portrait.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/a3702f2e-ec78-4401-bee6-87cc4ea76e61) - [Video: "Waiting for her turn," a sketch using alcohol markers. It reflects the feeling that women are so often left waiting, whether in politics, work, or life.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/7acfee3f-ba8e-4837-9e0e-675257f63ca6) - !["An Evening," an acrylic painting on an MDF board. This piece, showing a woman with flowers in her hair, is about quiet moments and hidden identities. It has been sold.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/cf564954-d0b7-49f7-8694-979bf5727fe5) - [Video: A video showing the process of painting "An Evening." I used thick, impasto strokes for the flowers, giving them a three dimensional feel against the flat background.](https://assets.mytribe.in/insecure/raw:1/plain/s3://mytribe-assets-production/28b14441-6343-4ed7-a381-dff8096f363d) ## About Art as Activism: Stories of Resistance and Change My activist art is not meant to be passive decor; it is created to disrupt. I work on non-traditional surfaces like repurposed jute bags, reclaimed wood, and unstretched linen because these materials hold the history and grit of the stories I tell. If you are looking for a piece that challenges how your space feels and carries the weight of truth, we can collaborate on a custom commission that moves beyond simple aesthetics. ### Art as a Political Act When you commission a piece from me, we are not just decorating a wall. We are creating a narrative. My work is rooted in my identity as a feminist and my work with the collective 'Haan Hum'. Whether I am painting a portrait of female laborers or abstract geometric forms to question land ownership, the goal is always the same: to make the invisible visible. ### My Process I do not believe in 'perfect' art. I believe in honest art. My process is often messy—filled with paint-stained hands, experimentation, and a focus on the energy of the subject rather than just realism. * **Materiality:** I choose mediums that align with the message. I might use acrylics on a repurposed jute bag to talk about labor and compassion, or ink on paper to explore vulnerability. * **Collaboration:** We start by talking about your story. You bring a vision, a photo, or a concept, and I translate that into a visual language that fits your life. * **Social Justice:** A significant portion of my practice involves supporting causes I believe in. When you commission a large-scale project or purchase from my series, that support often extends to social justice work. ### What You Can Expect My work ranges from small, intimate pieces on wood to large-scale wall murals. * **Small Formats:** Perfect for home spaces, these are one-of-a-kind originals on wood or jute. * **Portraits:** I capture the emotional essence of family members or personal figures, regardless of the quality of your reference photos. * **Large-Scale Murals:** If you have a space that needs a voice, I can design and execute wall murals or large-format silk tapestries that define the character of a room. Let’s stop making art that just blends in. Let’s make something that demands to be noticed. ## About Girija I am just a middle-aged woman looking for answers on canvas. My life is a mix of radical love, feminist struggle, and painting. I don't believe in art that just sits there looking pretty; I want it to push back and make you feel something. [See all of Girija's services](https://mytribe.in/2flatbrush) ## More from Custom Art & Paintings by Girija - [Featured](https://mytribe.in/2flatbrush/custom-art-paintings/featured) - [The Thinai Project: A Feminist Reimagining](https://mytribe.in/2flatbrush/custom-art-paintings/the-thinai-project-a-feminist-reimagining) - [Portraits: Capturing Memories and Energy](https://mytribe.in/2flatbrush/custom-art-paintings/portraits-capturing-memories-and-energy) - [Spiritual & Mythological Visions](https://mytribe.in/2flatbrush/custom-art-paintings/spiritual-mythological-visions) - [Sketches and Digital Explorations](https://mytribe.in/2flatbrush/custom-art-paintings/sketches-and-digital-explorations) - [From the Studio: My Process and Inspiration](https://mytribe.in/2flatbrush/custom-art-paintings/from-the-studio-my-process-and-inspiration) - [Additional Works](https://mytribe.in/2flatbrush/custom-art-paintings/additional-works) ## More services by Girija - [Large-Scale Murals](https://mytribe.in/2flatbrush/large-scale-murals) - [Illustration Services](https://mytribe.in/2flatbrush/illustration-services) - [Art Workshops](https://mytribe.in/2flatbrush/art-workshops) ## Similar work from other experts - [Art for Social Change: Murals and Community Facilitation](https://mytribe.in/a_new_pama/art-workshop-event-facilitation/art-for-social-change) by Anupama · Art Workshop & Event Facilitation · Travels for workshops and events across Delhi NCR and pan-India - [Conceptual Art Installations & Meaningful Creative Commissions](https://mytribe.in/madsterdrama/custom-art-commissions/art-with-a-message-conceptual-installation-pieces) by Madhuri Umashankar · Custom Art Commissions · Delivers across Bengaluru; Ships across India - [Art for Social Change: Community Murals & Public Art](https://mytribe.in/lbc_sneha/creative-workshops-retreats/art-for-social-change) by Sneha Chakraborty · Creative Workshops & Retreats · Retreats and workshops held across India - [Featured Artworks & Custom Commissions](https://mytribe.in/hoppinghare_shagufta/commissioned-canvas-artwork/featured) by Shagufta · Commissioned Canvas Artwork · Ships across India; Visit studio in Parappana Agrahara, Bengaluru - [Featured: A Curated Look at My Work](https://mytribe.in/rudranee_c/commissioned-artwork-installations/featured) by Studio Rudranee SA · Commissioned Artwork & Installations · Based in Mumbai, travels across India for projects - [Custom Hand-Painted Murals and Canvas Art](https://mytribe.in/artistic_roohja/commissioned-artwork/featured) by The Artist · Commissioned Artwork · Ships across India ## Book To book Girija, message mytribe on WhatsApp: [Chat on WhatsApp](https://wa.me/916360004054?text=Hi%20Girija%2C%20I%20saw%20your%20activist%20art%20collection%20and%20would%20love%20to%20discuss%20a%20commission%20or%20purchase.)