Building Bridges. Opening Minds. Empowering Communities.
September 2021
APF x Shahzia Sikander at Morgan Library
On September 12, artist Shahzia Sikander guided APF members through her current exhibit "Shahzia Sikander: Extraordinary Realities" at the Morgan Library in New York City. The exhibit tracks the first 15 years of Sikander's career merging traditional miniaturist painting with contemporary art. Through a series of paintings spanning her experiences in Pakistan, Texas, and New York, Sikander explores womanhood, race relations, cultural identity, and the impact of global events such as the September 11th attacks. Learn More About the Exhibit
On Shahzia Sikander
Waqas Jawaid, APF Leadership Council
Waqas Jawaid at "Shahzia Sikander: Extraordinary Realities" at Morgan Library (Photo: Casey Kelbough)
"For me—a Pakistani American designer and feminist—Shahzia Sikander is a role model and beacon of inspiration. It's mesmerizing to see in her work depictions of the feminine, racialized, colonized person taking up space and defining their own horizons, exploring realms that are mystical, supernatural, grotesque, and sublime. Her work is infused with a spirit of experimentation, playing with questions of transparency relevant to us today: how much of yourself are you willing or able to showcase to the world?"

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The APF Blog
Restaurant Review:
The Chai Spot in NYC 
By Rabeya Jawaid
"Nestled at the intersection of the neighborhoods of Little Italy, Chinatown, and Nolita, The Chai Spot offers people from all walks of life to interact in a colorful Pakistan-inspired space."

APF Leadership Council Member Rabeya Jawaid visited The Chai Spot, a New York City-based tea house run by Khalida Brohi and her husband David Barron.

This restaurant review is part of the APF Culture Heritage Fund’s efforts to profile the arts and culture of the Pakistani diaspora in the United States. To support more experiences and programming like this, please give to the APF Cultural Heritage Fund.
U.S.-Pakistan Timeline Project
September 2009:
Opening of Hanging Fire Exhibit at The Asia Society

The first exhibit in the United States of contemporary art from Pakistan opened at The Asia Society in New York City. The exhibition was comprised of around 50 works by 15 artists, and included installation art, video, photography, painting, and sculpture. Curated by Salima Hashmi—one of the most influential and well-respected writers and curators in Pakistan—the exhibition presented a comprehensive look at recent and current trends in Pakistani art.

APF In the News
APF Board Member Zainab Zeb Khan Interviewed by PBS

For the twentieth anniversary of 9/11, PBS interviewed APF Board Member Zainab Zeb Khan, asking her to reflect on her role and work in the Muslim American community over the last two decades:

"We challenge stereotypes by focusing on the positive, not the negative. For every single story of stereotypes and discrimination, we come up with hundreds of stories of achievements. Attitudes about Muslims cannot be changed by projecting an image of a minority obsessed with being downtrodden and persecuted, but rather by one that can be proud of its contributions."
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