Meet the Maker: Anila Quayyum Agha
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Photos: Courtesy of Ashley M. Mack
Welcome to Meet the Maker, a series dedicated to shining a spotlight on local creators of all kinds.
Meet Anila Quayyum Agha, an Indianapolis-based artist whose work is currently wowing folks at the Indiana State Fair.
The inspo: Agha is a Pakistani-American artist who explores cultural identity, gender roles and contradictions through large-scale art installations.
- Her work often features Persian and Turkish patterns inspired by floral, textile and architectural designs.
- Agha says her creations reflect her personal experiences with cultural marginalization, and she has a desire to create shared spaces that break down barriers imposed by cultural norms by bringing people together.
Zoom in: Agha came to the U.S. in 2000 to study fiber arts, and has since expanded her methods to include painting, beading, textiles and sculptures.
- Some of her notable past exhibitions include the Amon Carter Museum in Texas, the National Sculpture Museum in Spain and the Chimei Museum in Taiwan.
- Major awards include the 2019 Painters and Sculptors Grant from the Joan Mitchell Foundation and the 2020 Smithsonian Artist Fellowship.
What she's making now: Jaws drop inside the Indiana State Fair's Harvest Pavilion as Newfields' artist representative for this year's fair.
- Agha's 2017 piece, All the Flowers are for Me: Turquoise, will remain installed in the pavilion throughout the event.
Check her out: On Facebook, Instagram or Vimeo.
Do you know a maker we should meet? Tell us about them at [email protected].