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Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/1473357
BECCA MARTIN-BROWN NWA Democrat-Gazette S habana Kauser's artwork exists at an intersection of time, place, gender and culture that might, without hyperbole, be called unique. She is from South Asia — Kashmir, to be specific — and grew up in the 1990s in London. But despite their immigration, her family "held onto traditions and values they knew," expecting her to "marry someone of my parents' choice, a man I had never met, never seen, didn't know anything about, fit into an expected role of a housewife and conform." Neither did they encourage her creative aspirations, even though her mother was a talented seamstress who custom made the traditional "Shalwaar Kameez," which Kauser describes as a tunic top, pants and a dupatta (traditional scarf) to match the outfit. "I embraced both cultures, [but] my path was always different to my parents' generation and many around me," she says. "As a first- generation immigrant, those constant challenges of belonging and acceptance existed in both cultures. "At the age of 21, I rejected what was expected from me, finding the courage to stand up to my parents and an entire community, where everyone around me remained silent, or assured me it's the expected thing to do, was a tough battle," she remembers. "On the outside looking in, it's very easy to share what you would do in a given situation; the reality of what people actually do when they face tough circumstances, isolation, unsure of how they will financially survive and live, are two very different things. "I was fortunate to live in a country that gave me choices, and the freedom to carve my journey," Kauser goes on. "I have always struggled with conformity. Being on the receiving end of sexism and racism has been present all my life. Having choices, following my own decisions and path has been survival." Although she put art on the back burner, Kauser excelled in another non- traditional career for women, earning a bachelor's degree in Information Technology and a master's in Information Management. Then her life took a turn even she could not have predicted. "My husband was offered a work opportunity in Northwest Arkansas in 2008. We left the bright lights of London, our careers in the corporate world … took the leap of faith and moved to the U.S. to start a new life. "Sadly, for me that journey had a bumpy start," Kauser explains. "Due to visa laws at the time, I was unable to work for about seven years. It was very isolating; I felt lost and disconnected for a long time. I volunteered with various organizations in the community to keep my mind active, [but] it was never enough. It was only until I discovered my passion for creating, things changed for the better. Once my green card arrived, I decided to follow my passion with art and have my first exhibition." Kauser says her art is "directly influenced" by everything in her life up to that moment. "The immigration experience involves uncertainty, changes and adaptation," she says. "Being the daughter of Pakistani immigrants to the U.K. and an immigrant to the U.S. myself, it's amazing how you look for ways to achieve something rather than spending too much time with the problem. My parents always had a strong work ethic and a 'can do' attitude, and that is what I've always known. That mindset has helped me many times, [and] one crucial time was discovering my passion art 8 WHAT'S UP! JULY 17-23, 2022 FAQ 'Dupatta: Journeys of Life and Cultural Identity' WHEN — Until Sept. 11; hours are Tuesday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m., and Sunday, 1-5 p.m. Private tours can also be arranged with the museum. WHERE — Fort Smith Regional Art Museum, 1601 Rogers Ave. in Fort Smith COST — Free INFO — fsram.org and shabanakauserart. com Time, Place, Gender, Culture Shabana Kauser offers unique art, perspective to FSRAM Kauser Kauser's "Dupatta #7" features a blue dupatta and traditional bangles. She grew up in a household where her mother was a talented seamstress who custom made the traditional "Shalwaar Kameez," which Kauser describes as a tunic top, pants and a dupatta (traditional scarf) to match the outfit. (Courtesy Image) FEATURE