Reception 'Dupatta: Journeys of life & Cultural Identity' by Shabana Kauser

Reception for Solo Exhibition by Shabana Kauser’. Free to attend, no registration required. For more details visit www.shabanakauserart.com

Biography: 

Shabana
Kauser creates contemporary realistic oil paintings that are influenced by her
shared experiences as the daughter of Pakistani immigrants, and as an immigrant
to the United States. Her paintings of South Asian women explore memories of
cultural, social, and economic transition.

Shabana’s
parents left Pakistan occupied Kashmir in the 1970’s and emigrated to England.
With the longstanding history between England and Pakistan, they took the
opportunity to set up a new life. Dealing with complications of the immigration
system in the 1970’s, they made a tough decision to follow their journey with
the hope of change. Shabana is one of five children they raised in Surrey,
which is on the outskirts of London. Her father first worked in the steel
industry and later at a bakery. Shabana’s mother started a sewing business from
home. Her mother used the skills she learned in her family home in Pakistan and
applied that to create a business all while raising a family. Yards of fabric
would be dropped off to the home, and Shabana’s mother would create traditional
shalwaar Kameez (tunic top, pant and dupatta) for the South Asian Community. Shabana’s
work is inspired by many women, including her mother, and the women and girls
she created outfits for.

Shabana
was born and lived in the UK for almost 30 years. She lived in Central London, where
she achieved her degrees, a BSc in Business IT and a MSc in Information
Management. She worked in the corporate world before her husband was presented
with a work opportunity in the US. In 2008, Shabana moved from Central London
UK, to the US, and settled in Fayetteville Arkansas. Through the frustrating immigration
laws, and while being unable to legally work for 7 years, she discovered her
love for creating. This journey opened up a new way to connect with people and share
her story. In 2022 she became a US Citizen.

In
2017 she formally introduced her work and enjoyed her very first Exhibit. Shabana
has now enjoyed successful Gallery Exhibits in a number of states including Arkansas,
New York, Texas and Missouri. Some of her notable exhibits include 21c Museum, a
solo exhibit at Baker University in Kansas, and Argenta Gallery in Little Rock,
AR. She was also contracted by Crystal Bridges Museum to provide a studio demonstration
for a day. Shabana’s attended the University of Arts London, St. Martin’s College
in the UK, and also completed the Artist Inc program that is organized by the
Mid-American Arts Alliance.