There and Here

Image credit: Nikkie

Image credit: Nikkie To

There and Here
Nedda Baba, Diana Hosseini and Nikkie To
Curated by Abedar Kamgari

Hamilton Artists Inc.,
155 James Street N., Hamilton, ON
March 26-May 15, 2016

There and Here investigates how emerging Canadian artists in diaspora are exploring, constructing, and challenging identity through their art practices. The women in this exhibition occupy precarious spaces between multiple cultures and use their unique positions to address heteronormative gender roles and representational politics specifically as they apply to women of colour. At a time when the global refugee crisis is a common topic of conversation, There and Here looks to these young artists to better understand the experiences of migrants in a country that prides itself on its multiculturalism. Baba contemplates the nostalgia and longing that incites immigrants’ desire to preserve cultural traditions outside of their homeland. Hosseini’s kinetic works comment on the flattening of culture that occurs through appropriation and generalization, forcing viewers to confront their biases and preconceptions. To’s paintings deal with the overwhelming feelings of alienation and loneliness that many immigrants face as they try to navigate often contradicting personal and sociocultural expectations. There and Here presents three diverse voices on identity and immigration, hoping to start a dialogue on diasporic experiences of young first and second generation Canadian women of colour in Hamilton’s growing art scene.

An extended publication featuring essays by Abedar Kamgari and Barbora Racevičiūtė accompanies this exhibition.

Auxiliary Programming:

Saturday, March 26, 2:00-4:00pm
Opening reception, artists will be in attendance

Friday, April 9, 6:30-7:30pm
“There and Here: Identities in Diaspora at the Contemporary Moment”
Panel discussion with curator Abedar Kamgari, writer Barbora Racevičiūtė and artist Nedda Baba, audience Q&A to follow

Saturday, April 23, 2:00-4:00pm
Catalogue launch with essays by Abedar Kamgari and Barbora Racevičiūtė

Saturday, May 7, 2:00pm
Free Curatorial Walkthrough