In(k)shallah: Painted portraits of Muslim writers amidst their own published work.
What’s the story of this project?
I volunteered to design a literary anthology of Muslim voices from across North America (referred to, in many Indigenous cultures, as “Turtle Island”). In 2020, the anthology “Muslim American Writers At Home” was published by Freedom Voices, described as “an insightful, painful, impressive, hopeful read” by Laila Hasib. I then remixed the printed pages into a backdrop of painted portraits of some of these writers, depicted amidst their own published words. I wanted to promote the idea of Muslims being represented on our own terms, amongst our own words, embedded in our chosen language.
Can you explain the name of the projet?
Ink, of course, refers to the medium used by artists and writers alike to communicate. “Inshallah” translates from Arabic roughly to “God-willing,” which means – in a secular context – “hopefully.” The term is used in diverse linguistic contexts worldwide to express hope, understanding, and solidarity. It’s the equivalent of saying, “Yes, I hope that will happen (too).”
What is your goal with “In(k)shallah”?
These artworks celebrate the portrait subject’s insight, brilliance, and contribution in a way that centres their personhood and personality. Because they are depicted amongst their own words, we are prevented from reducing them to “Muslims,” but rather “Muslim” and “creative,” “Muslim” and “linguistically gifted,” “Muslim” and “enthusiastic about dinosaurs,” or “Muslim” and “appreciative of heavy metal music,” for example. Not only do I want to celebrate these individual writers, but also to debunk myths about Muslims in North America. I want to expand what we picture when think of “Muslims in North America.”
I acknowledge the support of the Canada Council for the Arts.
Public funding makes my art possible, and for that, I consider myself lucky.
I would like to acknowledge funding support from the Ontario Arts Council and the Government of Ontario.
Thanks for making my artist livelihood possible.
