PETALING JAYA: As you walk through the exhibition titled “Unsung Voices: Women Living With HIV,” you are met with canvases of female faces. Many of these portraits have their faces covered, their features hidden from view. Yet, there is a quiet strength and beauty in them that speaks volumes.
It becomes clear that these artworks tell a story: starting with “Diagnosis,” then moving through “Shame & Isolation,” “Anger,” “Grief,” and eventually reaching “Advocacy & Empowerment.” As the series progresses, the coverings on the women’s faces slowly fade, their eyes becoming more visible. By the final piece, you see a woman looking directly at you, confident and ready to face the world.
This powerful collection of paintings was inspired by the life journey of artist Caroline Rajan, who has been living with HIV for over two decades now.
Caroline, 45, was diagnosed at the age of 23. For much of her life, she struggled with fear, shame, and isolation, believing she had to accept the world’s judgment for being who she was. However, art became her new passion, giving her a platform for healing. She is now an art teacher, sharing her love for creativity and beauty with others.
“Unsung Heroes,” her first solo exhibition, is currently on display at Temu House this month. The Malaysian AIDS Council is the official partner of the event.
In her opening address, Caroline shared that the inspiration for her show came from silence. While there are many discussions about HIV today, they often do not center on women. This exhibition is about her reclaiming her story and encouraging courage, compassion, and understanding in society.
“It is more than just a collection of paintings; it is a journey of hope. It reflects not only my story but also the resilience of every woman living with HIV, those who continue to rise, heal, and find their voice even in silence,” she said.
“May this work remind us all that there is beauty in vulnerability, power in truth, and freedom in self-acceptance. May it bring hope to every woman who still feels unseen, that your voice, too, matters, and your story is worth being told.”
The exhibition launch was attended by Dr Raja Iskandar Shah Raja Azwa, president of the Malaysian AIDS Council, and writer and activist Marina Mahathir, who paid tribute to several Malaysian women who had previously shared their experiences with HIV.
The artworks displayed are a touching exploration of Caroline’s journey, told through imagery, metaphor, and color. In “Diagnosis,” for example, bleeding wings symbolize the feeling of having one’s wings clipped. Meanwhile, “Sorrow” uses deep blue and purple hues to represent lingering melancholy.
“Disclosure” incorporates lotus motifs, symbolizing Caroline’s growing strength to reveal herself, like a lotus rising from murky waters. In “Love & Intimacy,” the central figure is surrounded by sensual floral forms against a cosmic backdrop, reflecting a renewed connection with the universe.
Another series, “Stigma (Pop Art Lips),” presents a dozen mixed-media works depicting human lips. At first glance, they appear cheerful, but they carry a deeper meaning: they embody the untold stories of those burdened by societal stigma.
Yet their vibrant colors signal an act of reclamation—Caroline transforming suppression into art, and pain into beauty.
“My paintings are not just about living with HIV; they are about living life fully, fiercely, and unapologetically,” she concluded.
“I want other women to know that they are never alone; their voices matter.”
‘The Unsung Voices: Women Living With HIV’
Where:
Temu House,
49, Jalan 16/9e, Seksyen 16,
46350 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
When:
Today (Dec 6) @ 10am-7pm
Dec 7-9 @ 10am-6pm
For more information, visit Temu House’s website. Follow Caroline Rajan on Instagram.