May, 2022 – New Brunswick, NJ – A Black Woman. A Muslim. An Artist. Which is first? When you think of a Muslim do you think of a Black person, let alone a Black woman?
Above Art Studios will debut the “I Am Muslim” art exhibition with a special focus on the celebration of the diversity of Black Muslim women, a group who remains invisible in the dominant narrative of what it means to be Muslim. The diversity is mirrored by the variety of visual mediums practiced by the artists represented.
The beauty of her hijab, the softness of her eyes, the richness of her skin, the celebration of her womanhood – the Black Muslim Woman.
The exhbition seeks to explore the question, What does it mean to be Muslim? Western ideas of Islam and its practices are often shrouded in mystery and proscribed via the narrow views of the mainstream media. Rarely is the general public given the opportunity to learn about what it means to be Muslim from those who are, and even then, the information shared is almost never from women and is not inclusive.
Hailing from throughout the African Diaspora, these artists–Zainab Floyd, Nzingah Oyo, Ameerah Shabazz Bilal, Laylah Amatullah Barrayn, Taeesha Muhammad, Ayah Davis, Aïssatou Nené Diallo, Safiyah Cheatam, Anika Al-Uqdah, Maya Eatman, Nsenga Knight, and Aisha Toure - are painters, collage artists, photographers calligraphers, graphic designers, filmmakers, and textile artists.
The stories of these women are multidimensional - Some were born into Muslim families, others converted. Some were raised by single parents, others within polygamous family structures. Their work includes explorations and interrogations of Black feminism, racism, family, womanhood, place, religion, and tradition.
Each of these artists illuminate the humanity contained within their subjects and through their art practices contribute to the expanding narrative of what it means to be a Black Muslim woman. - Dr. Aiesha Turman, Black feminist & educator
Above Art Studios & founders, Dontae T. Muse and Wilford Charles, aim to transform its gallery space, from its ceilings to its floors; to highlight the works of the untold stories of Black women who practice Islam across the diaspora; who brushstrokes have become the pen to their hearts and the canvas, another chapter in celebration of the Black Muslim women.
Above Art Studios adds, “We want this exhibition to be curated by women. We want the women to celebrate their voices and stories across multiple disciplines.” The “I Am Muslim” art exhibition debuting this weekend, will illuminate the beauty behind and in front of the canvases of the featured artist.
Above Art Studios will premiere “I Am Muslim,” on Saturday, May 14th - 4:00 PM ET in New Brunswick, NJ (55 Morris St). An artist talk will follow, which aims to illuminate the voices and beauty of the featured artists, and how their art seeks to celebrate life as a Muslim woman.
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