How do we call attention to humanity?
During the Memphis sanitation strike of 1968, Black sanitation workers carried signs of protest with bold, red text that declared, “I AM A MAN” after two men died while working in dangerous and exploitative conditions.
Those signs are one point-of-reference in Baseera Khan’s Psychedelic Prayer Rugs series, where the words “I AM A BODY” are woven prominently across the textile. In this work, Khan honors the social justice movements created by African Americans that continue to pave the way for other social and liberation movements.
You can see these wool rugs, handmade in Kashmir and custom-designed by the artist, in “Baseera Khan: I Am an Archive” on view through July 10.
https://bit.ly/khanbkm
✍️ Anjali Seegobin, EASCFA intern 📷 Jonathan Dorado
