Art transcending ethnic barriers in Toronto

According to Asma she faced resistance from the beginning when South Asian artists expressed their discomfort at giving their intimate garment for a public display till they gradually understood its symbolic significance. When viewed by the community through the prism of their fixed notions of modesty, the exhibition to them conveyed only one message, that of flaunting modesty. The provocation did however manage to open up a debate on double standards for genders, the need to rethink outdated modes of modesty and a review of the unrealistic social expectation from women in the South Asian Community. This unexpected break from the nostalgia that usually informs the mood of the community at heritage shows made the voice for change heard via this controversial show.

Having worked closely with national Canadian art and cultural institutions like The Art Gallery of Ontario, Royal Ontario Museum and Ontario Arts Council has familiarized both these art activists Adil and Asma with the mandate of these crucial organizations and their methodology of achieving goals. Once a rapport was established it has helped to sustain a long-term cultural dialogue.

As the Creative Director of Cr8tiv80 Studios, Asma has not only created opportunities for ceramists Sheherezade Alam and Nabahat Lotia who demonstrated their techniques for hundreds of visitors at the Canadian National Exhibition in Toronto but also for the first time persuaded Royal Ontario Museum and Art Gallery of Ontario to have presence at this mainstream venue. She strongly feels that the work of Pakistani artists at the Art Gallery of Mississauga will contribute to the cultural presence and prestige of their community and is working towards mobilizing the community to send up a fund for this purpose. Adil Ali Kan has been instrumental in facilitating the sale of Sylvat Aziz’s work, a well-known painter of Pakistani origin to The South Asian Galleries of the ROM.