On November 7th, ArtReach attended (Mus)interpreted - the incredible showcase of The Truth or Dare Project, and curated by Zahra Agjee and Leila Fatemi. The show was a multimedia exhibition featuring the inspiring work of female Muslim artists from across the GTA.
The show was summarized by a description on the wall that read:
(Mus)interpreted is a group exhibition showcasing the works of emerging and established Muslim women artists in the GTA. Using a variety of different mediums, the artists document and reflect on their lived realities, interrogating the motions and spaces in which Muslim women are defined and redefined. The exhibition, representing a spectrum of identities and realities, provides alternative perspectives through a collective envisioning of individual and communal narratives. It is an expression of hope for a self-determined, inclusive future. “We wanted to showcase how each represented their stories and how these stories were able to relate to each other on a collective level.”
In picking the women’s brains about the creative process behind the exhibition, they replied that, “While thinking about this years show, we knew we wanted to recognize and honour each artists’ individual experience, while featuring different mediums and techniques. We wanted to showcase how each represented their stories and how these stories were able to relate to each other on a collective level.”
The artists expanded further, “when going through submissions we found similar sentiments were shared within the works. We wanted to highlight certain themes in the exhibition in order to inspire an understanding from our audience and support the diverse voices of the artists.”
When speaking of the current show, they told us, “as you go through the exhibition, you will notice how each artist navigates their own identity, whether through: combatting stereotypes; exploring spirituality, body image, cultural symbolism, politics, or creating visions of new worlds and stories of hope. We are so excited to share the work with you and encourage conversations and questions!”
“Each artist navigates their own identity, whether through: combatting stereotypes; exploring spirituality, body image, cultural symbolism, politics, or creating visions of new worlds and stories of hope.”
(Mus)interpreted ran at Daniel Spectrum from October 13th – November 13th 2016
Exhibition Artists Included: Samaa Ahmed, Shatha Al-Husseini, Ala’Al-Thibeh, Iman Bhatti, Yara El Safi, Habiba El-Sayed, Manaal Farooqi, Ghada Habbal, farxiyo maxamad cabdullaahi jaamac, Raafia Jessa, Frizz Kid, Zahra Komeylian, Maha Munaf, and Samira Warsame.
Learn more about the project here!
Author: Cassey Andrews