"Merasi Women Under the Veil"  by Emily Abramson – opens September 16th.

Shelter Island, NY, August 29, 2011 -  Emily Abramson’s powerful and compelling photographs of the Merasi women of India will be on exhibition at the Boltax Gallery on Shelter Island, 21 North Ferry Road, from September 16th through the 26th.  “Merasi Women Under the Veil ”, exhibition formally opens with an artist’s reception on Saturday, September 17th from 5-7pm.  Merasi woman, ”Lugai” is identified as a wife, mother, daughter, sibling, musician and lower caste being. Her individuality is no one’s concern.

Abramson first became involved with the Merasi, and Karen Lukas Executive Director and Founder, on her trip to India in 2008, as a photographic intern, working for Folk Arts Rajasthan (FAR) and Lok Kala Sagar Sansthan (LKSS). She returns yearly.

The portraits of veiled Merasi, included in the  exhibition, were taken during  groundbreaking meetings, Merasi Women’s Voices, that took place in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, India in 2008 and 2009. 

At this meeting, the brave women from Jaisalmer and some of the surrounding villages gathered to meet, socialize, and discuss pertinent issues collectively for the first time in their community’s history. Their voices were heard, their concerns spoken, as their identities were unveiled. Overwhelmingly, the women agreed that their children must be educated to create the sustainable change they hope for. “Each mother, wife, musician, and caretaker extended herself to me as I ‘listened’ with my camera,” commented Abramson.  “Here you see them, as they are, women under the veil. 

This exhibition will dedicate a portion of its sales to the work of the Folk Arts Rajasthan (FAR) www.folkartsrajasthan.org, a non-profit based in New York, partnering with Lok Kala Sagar Sansthan (LKSS)  based in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, India.  Both organizations work to eradicate illiteracy.  FAR and LKSS are working collaboratively to give the Merasi their voice.

Photographer, Emily Abramson is a resident of East Hampton and New York, City. This is her first solo exhibition.  

For a digital file of any images for publication, please call 631.749.4062

gallery hours: thursday - monday 11am - 6pm