Artistic director Noorlinah Mohamed brings together the diverse narratives of women who are making connections between art, life and society
Like T:>Works artistic director Ong Keng Sen—who returns to helm the homegrown arts company (formerly known as TheatreWorks) with a renewed focus on works beyond theatre—theatre artist and educator Noorlinah Mohamed believes that art and life intersect. This is the guiding theme behind the second edition of T:>Works’ Festival of Women: N.O.W. 2020, which takes place online, from July 15 to August 2, across its Facebook, YouTube and SoundCloud platforms.
As the festival’s artistic director, Noorlinah has curated a line-up of over 10 events, from livestreamed performances and aurality projects, to video narratives and workshops, that celebrate the alliances and solidarities between women who are looking into issues of class, gender and race.
“My first instinct was to ‘play’ with women from different sectors. The notion of women telling their stories does not just stop at gender issues, which is at the intersection of class and race—and privilege too,” says Noorlinah.
(Related: “If We Don’t Fight To Do Art In A Different Way, We Will Be Left Behind,” says Ong Keng Sen)
She adds, “When we talk about class and race, we tend to talk about the inequalities faced by those in the underclass or underprivileged, but seldom about how privilege is part of the equation. I would like to get to know those who choose to use their privilege to advance a cause, and find out why they do it. You can tell the story in whatever form you choose, but the reason behind it is always influenced by life.”
The festival is anchored by the Women of N.O.W. 2020 digital exhibition, which explores the stories of over 35 women from various sectors, inlcuding creatives, changemakers and social advocates, who are committed to raising awareness of the overlooked gaps in our society.
Noorlinah explains, “Privilege is not just about money. If you go to the digital exhibition, some of the women I have chosen to highlight do not have money. But everyone has privilege. When somebody sitting next to you does not have the same skill, you are more privileged than them.”