Kit Kit Court – Shopping Village by Ratul Alam

Size (cm): 107 x 81
Acrylic, house paint, oil pastel, sand and graphite on canvas

Kit Kit Court  – Shopping Village

I grew up in Bangladesh in the 1990s, in a deeply conservative Muslim society, where I was bullied at every step for not fitting expected ideas of masculinity. I was judged for how I walked, how I spoke, and even for the simple joy of playing KIT KIT (a version of hopscotch traditionally played by girls). Over time, these moments accumulated into a childhood marked by shame and quiet fear, memories that sat heavily within my body.

As an adult, I now speak openly about how LGBTQIA+ communities continue to suffer under social, cultural, and systemic pressures. In this work, the KIT KIT court becomes both a symbol and a tool for reclaiming what was once taken from me. Through layered textures, broken terracotta tones, and repeated geometric marks, I return to that space of play—not as a site of shame, but as one of resilience and pride. This act may feel small, but it speaks to a larger, ongoing collective struggle.