I am a second generation immigrant settler living in Tiohtia:ke (montreal), on occupied/unceded Kanien’kehá:ka (Mohawk) territory. My family of origin migrated to this territory from pakistan and india (migrations are traced through: bihar, uttar pradesh, punjab, and sindh). I identify as Queer. I see my many identities as simultaneously fixed and fluid, given that I live in systems of violence and oppression, but also as I experience moments of inspiration and envision liberation.
I strongly believe in horizontal/non-hierarchical and empowerment-based learning approaches, intersectional feminist* work, and intergenerational activism. Some of my most inspiring activist experiences have been connected to working collectively with Racialised Youth, Womxn of Colour, and Queer and Trans people of Colour artist-activists.
Visual art and poetry have always been part of my life in many ways. I decided to commit to an art practice as part of a grounding process after having gone through challenging times in the context of social justice organising (please see “To Begin. Again.” more details). My art practice engages with self and collective empowerment, and aims to be in solidarity with others facing systemic oppression. My intention is to carve out, create, contribute to, and reclaim spaces with intersectional feminist, decolonial, anti-capitalist, queer politics and imaginations using visual and written art.
I learn from fellow artists who teach me about creativity, breaking rules, and storytelling. I am humbled and inspired by these teachings, for they are important tools of resistance and social justice movement building.
I am committed to honouring individual and collective imaginations and the way they inform my artistic decisions and actions. I see various forms of art as paramount to dismantling unjust systems, in embracing liberating moments, and in envisioning beautiful ways of being. Indeed, as part of struggles against racism, colonialism, hetero-patriarchy, disableism, capitalism, as well as the violence inherent to police and borders, I am interested in focusing not only on what we are against, but also what we are for, as we seek caring, just, and loving moments, movements, spaces and relationships.
*Gratitude to Black Feminists/Womxn for this framework.
About & Artist Statement
I am a second generation immigrant settler living in Tiohtia:ke (montreal), on occupied/unceded Kanien’kehá:ka (Mohawk) territory. My family of origin migrated to this territory from pakistan and india (migrations are traced through: bihar, uttar pradesh, punjab, and sindh). I identify as Queer. I see my many identities as simultaneously fixed and fluid, given that I live in systems of violence and oppression, but also as I experience moments of inspiration and envision liberation.
I strongly believe in horizontal/non-hierarchical and empowerment-based learning approaches, intersectional feminist* work, and intergenerational activism. Some of my most inspiring activist experiences have been connected to working collectively with Racialised Youth, Womxn of Colour, and Queer and Trans people of Colour artist-activists.
Visual art and poetry have always been part of my life in many ways. I decided to commit to an art practice as part of a grounding process after having gone through challenging times in the context of social justice organising (please see “To Begin. Again.” more details). My art practice engages with self and collective empowerment, and aims to be in solidarity with others facing systemic oppression. My intention is to carve out, create, contribute to, and reclaim spaces with intersectional feminist, decolonial, anti-capitalist, queer politics and imaginations using visual and written art.
I learn from fellow artists who teach me about creativity, breaking rules, and storytelling. I am humbled and inspired by these teachings, for they are important tools of resistance and social justice movement building.
I am committed to honouring individual and collective imaginations and the way they inform my artistic decisions and actions. I see various forms of art as paramount to dismantling unjust systems, in embracing liberating moments, and in envisioning beautiful ways of being. Indeed, as part of struggles against racism, colonialism, hetero-patriarchy, disableism, capitalism, as well as the violence inherent to police and borders, I am interested in focusing not only on what we are against, but also what we are for, as we seek caring, just, and loving moments, movements, spaces and relationships.
*Gratitude to Black Feminists/Womxn for this framework.