Written by Holly Booth
M+, Asia’s global museum of contemporary visual culture, presents works by Pakistani‑American artist Shahzia Sikander.
What to expect
Shahzia Sikander is an internationally acclaimed artist known for reworking the tradition of Central and South Asian miniature painting in bold and contemporary ways. Her art spans painting, animation, mosaic, and sculpture, often exploring themes such as gender, migration, empire, and colonial history through layered, surreal imagery.
Sikander’s cinematic tableu illuminates the iconic M+ Facade for three months.
Using painted gestures and symbols, Sikander illustrates the decline of Mughal authority, the strains of the Qing dynasty, and the East India Company’s rise, exposing the coercion and shifting power of empire.
Schedule
The facade will be illuminated nightly from March 23 to June 21.
You can also enjoy free drop‑in screenings of Shahzia Sikander’s earlier animations from March 24 to 29 at the M+ Cinema, as well as a free artist lecture on March 26 at 5 p.m..
