  Determination |
This woman emerged from a doll-camp workshop demonstration, to bring me needed strength and cunning, no doubt inspired by the fiesty women in the film "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon." She began as a Mongolian warrior princess. I envisioned her swift stead standing nearby, his mane blowing in the wind, or a trained eagle or falcon perched on her arm, waiting for her signal to attack. But she has grown beyond that woman to encompass the struggle of strong women for independence the world over. I have named her Oyun after a Mongolian woman M.P. who has helped to turn that nation around in one of the quickest transitions from communism to democracy ever seen. Oyun is not dressed in traditional Mongolian fur and brocades. Maybe it is summer on the steppes somewhere else. She wears a silver patterned silk crepe blouse under a silk vest, with an ikat weave skirt, slit on the side for horseback riding. Striped pants beneath tuck into her red leather boots, a polymer sculpted knife hangs in a leather sheath on her belt, ready to prepare dinner or to symbolically cut through any obstacles. Silver jewelry for adornment attests to her pride and sense of beauty. Oyun is sculpted of polymer with a poseable cloth over armature body, long hair of mohair. The root of Mongolia's success has been in the organisation and education of her women. Nomadic women have been historically strong and progressive in a very harsh environment, raising herds and families, with a deep respect for nature. Mongolian women today are the driving force of social change, making decisions based on moral principals, not the personal ambitious political gain of the male majority. Oyun first ran for office to continue to promote her brother's sound ideals. He had been mysterious murdered, believed to be the victim of governmental corruption. Still only 12% MPs are now women, but she believes that by example they are transforming the dominant male mentality. Today 90% of Mongolian women vote. Women now make up 84% of their college graduates, 77% of their doctors and 60% of lawyers. Let this be an inspiration to us all, to join hands and make change. This Oyun stands as a prayer for women the world over, but especially in Afghanistan today, for the strength needed to reclaim their roles as leaders in creating a better and more peaceful world.  Click Here for a Close-up Portrait Click Here for a Closer-up Portrait
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