Like Her

Artwork: Installation by eL Seed, Like Her, Nepal, 2021

Artist eL Seed’s recent installation, Like Her, spanning the roofs and walkways of houses in the village Giranchour in Nepal is a stunning tribute to the women who live there. This is what eL Seed had to say about the project, its inspiration and meaning:

“In 2015 an earthquake rocked Nepal, destroying hundreds of homes and tearing many families apart. As the country began to build itself back up again women took a leading role in the reconstruction of the society around them.
In Giranchour, a small village three hours away from Kathmandu, some women got trained in construction work, when others learned how to produce their own earthquake resistant bricks.
In this new project, I explore the topic of women empowerment by bringing light to the stories of admirable women. During four weeks, I worked with a team of 12 women who helped me create a giant art installation that spread all around the village connecting each house to another, linking each women’s story to the other.
The art installation depicts the words of Yogmaya Neupane (1867-1941) one of the first female activists of Nepal, a woman who has become a modern icon in the contemporary fight for gender equality and social justice:
“There is nothing between us, nothing at all. Your eyes have tears, just like my own.”
Single, married or widows, this group of women carries the legacy of Yogmaya Neupane. The art installation becomes an echo of their stories and aims to amplify their voices.
I believe artists have a great social responsibility to inspire, ignite and implement change. 'Like Her' intends to raise up the women in this remote community that was devastated by the 2015 earthquake, and bring to light issues facing these women, and women all over the world, while sharing their beautiful stories of wisdom, strength and resilience.”