This reflection is also available as a zine.

MEHER KHAN

JAHEZ

May 7-31 at This and That

2731 E 25th St, Minneapolis MN 55406

a purple sari with hand printed semi-geometric patterns printed on it and draped from the ceiling to the wall

Formally, this show grabs your attention with the warm colors and soft shapes of the block-printed and draped saris to the right when you walk in, followed by the stage and the space through the doorway straight ahead.

and orange and gold painting on a white background featuring a word in Urdu that means turd, specifically from constipation

Having knowledge of Khan’s work from studio visits and past exhibitions, I knew this show was likely to delve into aspects of her second-generation, Indian-American identity. I walked to the artist statement as directed by the gallery sitter, and I had to agree with their assessment that it is really well written and helps contextualize the entire show.

I won’t quote the entire statement here, but themes of identity and cultural expectations take center stage. As Khan state, “‘Jahez’ is a bridal trousseau for a wedding that never happened, self-appointed heirlooms with nowhere to go.”

A black sari hangs to the right of the print studio, with a partially obscured photo of the artist behind the textile. The arrangement and the detail on the sari both invite closer looking, which reinforces concepts about adapting these objects to the artist’s goals.

On the walls on either side of the black sari piece are two large paintings from Kahn’s exploration of the Urdu language, and showcase her sense of humor. The green one over the stage means “butt,” and the orange one means “turd” specifically the kind when one is constipated.

A black sari hanging in a draped formation against the wall and in front of a photo portrait of the artist

a bandana printmaking studio with a table and tools

I really enjoyed “Patched Gateway,” made of a collection of screenprinted patches and block printed shapes, as well as the work to its left showcasing a quilt-like arrangement of patches. These works helped mark the change in purpose for the space beyond, where hand-printed bandanas are made.

screenprinted patches sewn together in a grid-like formation

It’s worth the time to make your way over to check out this show. Hours are Mondays and Fridays 12-4pm, and Wednesdays 3-7pm. There are also a number of activities planned during the run of the show – check out Meher Khan’s Instagram page for more details: https://www.instagram.com/meherk_art/