What's Up - Your guide to what's happening in Fayetteville, AR this week!
Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/1419275
Shabana Kauser shabanakauserart.com, @shabanakauserart on Instagram and Facebook "Being a Pakistani woman in America, where I can express myself through my art, has been very powerful. Each one of the stories behind my work has a universal message of strength, courage, determination, uncertainty, belonging and acceptance. That resonates with people regardless of their gender or background," Shabana Kauser says. "Our region has really amazed me with their interest in my culture and have been receptive to the desired result I had in my mind. "I think it's crucial for Pakistani women artists to exist. It's especially important that young South Asian girls see someone with the same skin color as them in the art world. They need to realize at an early age that they can be future artists, there is a place for them. A visual representation of that is crucial. The art world needs authentic portraits of all backgrounds and cultures. After exhibiting my work in varies galleries and venues, this has opened up so much dialog in communities. That makes me realize the impact my work could have further down the road." Kauser's creative muse came to her in Northwest Arkansas, she reveals. Kauser was born in the UK to Pakistani immigrant parents and lived there for 30 years before she and her husband transferred to Fayetteville. Due to visa restrictions, she found herself unable to work for several years and looked to her community and her interests in her search for fulfilment. Enrolling in an oil painting class through the Community Creative Center, Kauser had little expectation for herself, but found her passion for creating. "I create oil paintings and mixed media abstract work. I enjoy switching from the mediums when creating. My oil paintings are representational, so I enjoy capturing details and sharing that with the viewer. … My other medium is mixed media work which includes using traditional South Asian fabrics, resin and acrylic paint as the core materials. … I loved the process, knowing I could just let go, make mistakes and learn from them. I allowed myself time and wastage of materials to be a part of the process. That's where the 'Shine' series started. This year I have successfully exhibited my mixed media work in galleries in Northwest Arkansas and beyond." Monica McCleary cirrostudio.com, @cirrostudio on Instagram "I love how wood furniture is a functional piece of art. You can appreciate its natural beauty as well as interact with the actual piece, whether it's sitting on a chair, or eating a meal with your family and friends at a table. What I also really enjoy about working with wood is how sustainable of a material it is. Wood furniture can last throughout many family generations, and can be refurbished over time. Whether you invest in handcrafted wood furniture or refurbish an older piece, you can make a difference in the environment by not contributing to the negative environmental effects by way of mass-produced furniture." McCleary's furniture design approach is inspired by the Shaker style, as can be seen with her "Staked Bench" furniture piece on exhibit in "Our Art, Our Region, Our Time." McCleary is also inspired by the Bauhaus movement and minimalist approach. "The motto for my small furniture design and making studio is 'made by hand, feel at home.' With every piece I design and make, my desired result is for the owner of the piece to feel at home, at ease and at peace. We live in a culture cluttered with material objects, non-stop information, never-ending to-do lists, world issues, and so on. I want to help folx create a space at their home/ office/business where they can feel like it is their sanctuary and 'recharging station,' if you will." McCleary is in the process of moving her home wood shop to downtown Rogers, where she will have a small storefront gallery, set to open in November. Visitors can purchase her handcrafted home goods, and McCleary also plans to offer workshops and community events at the gallery at 103 W. Chestnut St., Unit 101. OCTOBER 17-23, 2021 WHAT'S UP! 37 COVER STORY Our Art Continued From Page 9 "Staked Bench" by Monica McCleary "The 'Staked Bench' is made of locally sourced black walnut which I meticulously picked out at the lumberyard I frequent," furniture maker Monica McCleary reveals. "The back and leg spindles were all turned on a lathe. I handshaped the seat, as well as the arms. The natural finish I used is by Osmo, which is a low VOC and environmentally friendly brand. My intention for the bench was to create a traditional and simple piece of furniture with an heirloom quality, a result of my craftsmanship and attention to detail." (Courtesy Image/Monica McCleary) "Dupatta #1" by Shabana Kauser "The 'Dupatta,' which is a traditional South Asian scarf, is prominent throughout my work. My painting in the 'Our Art, Our Region, Our Time' exhibit is a self portrait, where I am wearing a green dupatta," artist Shabana Kauser explains. "The main colors are inspired by the Pakistan flag, which is green and white. The pose and energy of my work was inspired by a well known Pakistani female leader, Benazir Bhutto, the first female president who ran the country for two terms. Yes, she wore a dupatta while achieving this!" (Courtesy Image/Shabana Kauser)