Street Performance on Green Road, Dhaka, Bangladesh, 2014

Britto Art Trust Residency

During her month-long residency at the Britto Art Trust in Dhaka, Zoncy Heavenly delved deeply into the cultural and spiritual dimensions of Bangladesh. She noted striking similarities between the gender norms in Myanmar and Bangladesh, where women are often expected to embody safety and virtue as dictated by Buddhist and Islamic teachings. Although these teachings are presented as protective, they frequently serve as mechanisms that restrict women's autonomy and presence in public life.

In her performance along Green Road, Zoncy reacted to societal stereotypes, like the notion that “women are talkative.” She examined the complex relationship between voice, discipline, and visibility. Dressed in layered fabrics that echoed both ceremonial attire and social restrictions, her presence became a powerful act of contradiction—simultaneously adhering to and questioning the societal expectations placed on women in public spaces.

This work sheds light on how cultural and religious norms become ingrained systems of control, and illustrates how art can be a means to reclaim these narratives. Through her performance, Zoncy expresses that resistance does not have to be confrontational; rather, it can be a transformative journey of empowering silence with agency.