'Bra Art' to prompt women to rethink role

One of Malaysia's top 10 female visual artists aspires to bring about improvement in the stature of women in society through producing artworks that depict their determination, perseverance and optimism.

To this end, Louise Low Seok Loo, 30, has stretched her creativity to transforming 1,000 brassieres of assorted colours into art, which she proudly displayed at the month-long George Town Festival launched yesterday.

Initially, she had hoped to draw public curiosity and attention to her mission by displaying her 'Bra Art' on cars, motorcycles, bicycles, trishaws and hawker bikes.

"Unfortunately it is an offence to drive a decorative vehicle around without a permit. I will follow the proper procedure and hopefully get a permit from the police," the KL-born artist told Bernama here Saturday.

Her artworks are currently being displayed at the Hin Bus Depot Art Centre.

Louise said her objective was to explore the sensitivity and familiarity of the general public towards brassieres while creating a new standard for showcasing art in Malaysia and promoting contemporary art in various forms.

"With such striking contradiction, I believe it will challenge the preconception of the general public towards women. It also questions the stereotype of women in their positions and stimulates women to rethink their roles in the society," she said.

She said the artwork which took about one month to complete would also educate society particularly the younger generation among the Chinese community, against superstition.

In Chinese culture, the women's undergarment was believed to bring bad luck when displayed indiscriminately.

Meanwhile, Louise introduced her 'Fatal Attraction-The Bra Shark' artwork last October in a campaign to end violence against women.