The works of Francoise Bosteels represent creative resistance, a spirituality of compassion and selfless labour to me.
At a time when global capitalism has severed the ties that connect humans to each other and the earth, these iconic dolls and poems invite us to re-cognize those connections and to heal them. Is that not an expression of art as creative resistance in its truest sense? Thus, we at Visthar frequently use Francoise’s dolls as a starting point in our classes for conversations on globalization, violence and discrimination. They enable participants to reflect deeply on the dehumanization we all experience in an unjust world.
At the same time, the dolls also serve a prophetic role: while they denounce the injustice around us, they also announce the better world that is possible. That peaceful and just world is rooted in a spirituality of compassion towards all sentient beings. The iconic dolls representing the Chipko Movement or the verses ‘May I Be a Man’, for instance, point to a world where care and concern for each other and the earth replenish our humanity and the earth.
The images of Francoise bent over a tiny table crafting these richly detailed dolls, late into the night deeply inspires me and many participants in our programs. We frequently reflect on the labour that has gone into the creation of these dolls over four decades. That selfless labour, which springs from a spirituality of compassion, is itself an act of creative resistance to the commoditization of labour in our societies today.
May these dolls continue to inspire and move people to action for many more years.
~ Roshen Chandran
Visthar Academy of Justice and Peace.
May 2017
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