Humaira Abid: Searching for Home will feature the artwork of Seattle-based, Pakistan-born artist Humaira Abid. The beauty and mastery of Humaira’s to-scale woodcarvings of seemingly benign objects belie the upheaval and instability in society, especially that to which women are subject.
Searching for Home presents a human-scaled look at the worldwide refugee crisis focusing on the plight of women and girls, who make up a disproportionate percentage of the millions who have fled their home countries as a result of political conflict and strife. The works in Searching for Home demonstrate the artist’s ability to tread a narrow line between evocative (and often provocative) content and mastery in a material discipline. A publication complementing the exhibition will be available for purchase.
The exhibition is free and will be on view from April 9 to August 21, 2021 in the main gallery.
Humaira Abid: Searching for Home is curated by Jennifer-Navva Milliken and organized by the Center for Art in Wood, Philadelphia, PA, in partnership with the Bellevue Arts Museum, Bellevue, WA.Â
Excerpts from a Conversation: Humaira Abid and Exhibition Curator Jennifer-Navva Milliken
Humaira Abid
Humaira gathers the ordinary objects from everyday life and transforms them into something extraordinary. Her turned and carved wood sculptures and paintings—known for their exquisite detail—depict human relationships, societal repression, and the consequences of keeping basic truths from being discussed and shared.Â
Born and raised in Lahore, Pakistan, Humaira immigrated to the United States in 2008 and now lives and works in Seattle, WA. She received her BFA in sculpture and miniature painting from the National College of Arts, Lahore, in 2000. Her works have been exhibited in museums and galleries and documented in publications around the world. Her work has been published in books and other print media, and she has been the recipient of prestigious awards and grants.
Searching for Home is supported by Dawn and Chris Fleischner. General operating support is from Allegheny Regional Asset District, Henry L. Hillman Foundation, The Heinz Endowments, Opportunity Fund, the Elizabeth R. Raphael Fund of The Pittsburgh Foundation, the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, Bloomberg Philanthropies, Jack Buncher Foundation, JENDOCO Construction Corporation, and Giant Eagle Foundation.Â
Searching for Home media sponsors are NEXTpittsburgh, 90.5 WESA, and 91.3 WYEP.
Artwork featured: The Stains Are Forever, 2016. Pinewood, carved; redwood stain, epoxy putty, paint, wire, gouache on art board, framed in Plexiglass, 49″ x 36″ x 20″. Photo: Emilie Smith
