Thursday, February 20
6:00 – 8:00 pm
Indianapolis Liberation Center
The Fonseca-Du Bois Gallery is honored to collaborate with immigrant artist, Nasreen Khan, as she articulates how imperialism and motherhood have shaped her artwork. Khan uses a technique known as pyrography, or burning images and patterns into wood—which Khan collects from fallen tree limbs during her hikes through Indiana forests.
Khan’s West-African and Indonesian upbringing is clear and powerfully woven into her art. Her pieces are influenced by a global perspective that provides a unique opportunity to Hoosiers to learn about life outside of the U.S. Khan’s work also explores religion, imperialism, motherhood, and resistance. Each piece was thoughtfully crafted through her understanding of global politics.
In her home in Haughville, a neighborhood on the near west side that is primarily poor Black and Latino residents, Khan maintains a beautiful garden, raises chickens, and works on her art. While Khan’s impact is most immediately felt within her neighborhood, her works can be found all throughout Indianapolis.
Her art is also having an international impact as her most recent project Boodle Fight (in collaboration with local artist Bryn Jackson) is on display in Mexico City after being featured in a New Orlean’s gallery. Completely self-taught, Khan was thrust into her role as an artist after losing her job in 2019, having experienced the constant precarity to which so many immigrants are subjected.
We invite the community out for this important conversation. As lawmakers go out of their way attempting to criminalize our immigrant neighbors, Khan stands as an example of the reality of immigrants in Indiana–that it can be difficult here, but possible to overcome any challenge with community support. She is usually providing that support to the community by housing homeless friends and inviting people into her home for holiday celebrations. The community returns her support in-kind.
See you for a sure-to-be exciting artist talk with the talented Nasreen Khan. Bring any questions you have!